Special Educational Needs and Differentiated Instruction

The term Special Educational Needs (SEN) covers various learning needs, including Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD), language disorders, developmental disorders characterised by impaired social interaction, and sensory impairments. Learners with SEN often find it difficult to learn a foreign language because they process information differently. Therefore, teachers need to consider different teaching approaches to cater to the specific needs and abilities of these students.

Teaching and research issues consider students with different cognitive profiles, including most able students. We try to answer the following questions:

• How do students with dyslexia learn foreign languages?
• How do ADHD and Asperger's syndrome affect language learning?
• Is Multisensory Structured Learning effective for all learners?
• How do teachers implement differentiated instruction in the language classroom?
• How do teachers position students with learning difficulties and how do they position themselves towards these students in the process of learning a foreign language?
• What emotions do language teachers experience when teaching students with learning difficulties?

Our goal is to combine theoretical concepts with classroom practice. Thus, the courses discuss the inclusive approach: How to adapt the classroom environment effectively to the needs of students with SEN? How to adapt teaching materials and class dynamics to ensure the expected learning progress of these students? How can you properly identify the needs of your students? How to group students according to their needs for different class assignments? What kind of differentiation is most beneficial for individual students and the class as a whole?