5. Student case study - receptive language difficulty

Name: Bradley       Age 11    Setting: Mainstream Secondary School

Strengths: 
• enjoys physical activity and takes part in a number of sports 
• enjoys being with friends and is popular with his peers 
• enjoys practical lessons and can copy demonstrations

Areas of need: 
• poor listening memory 
• slow to process and often looks confused 
• has a limited vocabulary 
• difficulties following instructions and learning new concepts

Impact on learning: 
• unable to follow instructions and complete any work unaided 
• difficulty understanding mathematical language and processes 
• difficulty generalising and delays in reading skills 
• all areas of the curriculum affected

Impact on social development: 
• slow to join in conversations and take part in class discussion

Emotional behaviour:
• low self-esteem and lack of confidence

Organisational:
• needs additional prompts - visual and practical demonstration

Key strategies: 
• gain attention and provide clear, concise instructions using plain English 
• repeat and rephrase as necessary and support visually and practically 
• provide task organisers to support memory and independence 
• check understanding of key concepts and vocabulary 
• explicitly teach prioritised key vocabulary 
• slow down the pace of delivery