How to help dyslexic DSD through French GCSE?

We actively encourage all our pupils to go for courses/qualifications that suit them - so as well as GCSEs, there are a variety of BTEC and similar courses in Business Studies/Retail etc to cater for the different needs of our pupils. If a set 5 or 6 pupil came and asked if they should do a language, I would give them an idea of what would be expected and they would then rapidly change their minds. We do sometimes have set 4 pupils opting but it's just the odd one.

As Kez says, getting a low grade (E-G) in a language is of no value to them or to the school (and sadly we do have to think about how the results reflect on the school). We have less than 80 pupils studying a language out of a cohort of 270.

I dont think so - our school doesn't make students do a language at KS4. The Ebacc has made it advisable (and probably essential for the clever ones with no SEN). I can't see, though, why someone predicted a E or G and with SEN causing the prediction would be encouraged to do it. The Ebacc % only credits those getting C or better.

I wonder how aware schools and language teachers are generally of the difficulties students with dyslexia may well face in studying languages ?

DDs school have recognised her dyslexia and I've discussed it with the special needs department there, but I do wonder how well her difficulties are shared with teachers throughout the school, especially as they are fortunately fairly mild. She is taking part in some research into dyslexia by Cambridge University though, so her dyslexic tendencies definitely exist !

Wondering if my dd would find continuing with Latin any easier than French - perhaps spelling is more phonetic with Latin and I know she'd enjoy the history aspect ? General school rule though is that they all have to do a modern foreign language at GCSE.

Languages are not compulsory at KS4. But some schools insist that they have to do one. As a languages teacher, I'm glad that our school don't - there is nothing more soul-destroying than being faced with a class who don't want to learn your subject and who are being forced to do it. Have you thought at looking at other schools which are not so worried about the Ebacc and who don't insist on a language at KS4?

Blame the English Bac - schools are now measured by students passing a group of GCSEs including a language.

This is bad news for dyslexics, as most will be forced to do French as it is the subject there are more teachers and Spanish and German are often only available to those that are good at French.

The good news for dyslexics is that from 2012 there willbe a GCSE in British Sign Language, a language many dyslexics find completely logical, and one you can actually use.

I wouold write t othe school and say she has such a small chance of passing French she will not be doing any homework for it as she needs to concentrate on other subjects, particularly as they are breaking a number of laws on inclusion / discrimination.

Tell DD the same - she may have to attend the class, but not do any homework, a U does not appear on a certificate but a G does. Or ask the school that she does not aattend.

If there is a BSL class near you, an evening class or saturday morning enrol her in that, tell the school that she will be taking BSL GCSE in 2012 which means the school get their ebac, your daughter does not so French and hopefully is allowed study sessions instead.

Also work with her motivation. If she likes singing then do some whenever you can, reading and writing lyrics is just as valid as writing stories.

There's no reason she couldn't use a laptop in any or all of her public exams (I did because my writing is like chicken scratchings, especially when I have to write fast)

We used Lexia at the last secondary school I worked in (I work in a special needs school now). I would say it's more based on reading than spelling though (of course the two things are linked!) It's a series of games based around the different parts of reading. Lots of videos here I would suggest Word Shark for spelling

I think the idea of getting her speaking French with your parents French lodger is a great idea - especially as they get on well already

School days must be exhausting for her, PM.

One of my students is particularly severely dyslexic and when I have her class at the end of the day, she looks at me with her beautiful big eyes with tears of tiredness, not saying anything but begging me not to have her do any writing or difficult reading.

I have tried doing the lesson in the ICT suite so that she doesn't have to worry as much about spelling, but she is just knackered by then and even that is too much for her.

Hugs to your DSD, and to you for being such a support.

This is an interesting thread for me as my DD has mild dyslexia and is in Y8.
She has just started Latin and is enjoying the history aspect of it - I think the humanities are possibly her strongest subjects - she's sooo interested in everything - especially history ! But anyway I don't see her continuing with the Latin to GCSE as she has to do a modern foreign language, which for her will be French. ( So, Latin would unfortunately have to be on top of that) What I'm hoping is we could perhaps spend some time getting her French speaking and listening really good by spending time with her French cousins. I'm thinking if her speaking and listening is really good perhaps the written side of it all will come more easily too. But anyway, I think it helps to recognise that foreign languages will probably not be her greatest strength - and to be prepared to flag up to teachers that she does have dyslexic tendencies which will affect her abilities in this subject.

So, for a suggestion, how about conversation classes, a French exchange, or a holiday in France to practice those new and hard earned skills ?

My understanding is that it has to be done daily.

However, there are other options. Does your DSD have a good friend at school who would be willing to spend 10 minutes on the days when you can't? According to their website, the coaching can be done by a peer. Perhaps her form tutor would be willing too - sometimes non-assembly days can be a real drag for a form tutor and they would welcome being able to spend some one on one time.

I have never heard a bad thing about this course (except for the cost of the book), and I have seen pupils make massive progress in a fairly short amount of time. And it is progress that sticks.

I might be totally wrong about multiple coaches as I am not directly involved. I know that the students in school who are on this programme spend 10 minutes at home and 10 minutes at school per day (so have at least two coaches).

My understanding (I'm an LSA so never heavily involved in the disapplication process) is that it is easiest if you have a statement but also possible otherwise. This is useful.

You will really need to get school on side though, even if that is only possible by pointing out how you DSD's grade will affect their results (sad, isn't it?)

I can understand her reluctance to "lose" 3 years (although I don't believe you can lose the benefit of any education, you don't need a GCSE in it for it to have been worth it).

If her written English is as bad as you imply and her passion is for science (so unlikely to need a foreign language in the future) I would seriously consider ditching the french. She could have extra English tution in that time. You may not have as hard a time as you'd imagine convincing the school given the immense pressure on 5 A*-C including Maths and English percentages.

Better to push an E to a C in English than get that E and a G for French.

I second toe by toe, it's a great program (cheaper on Amazon)

If her English is so bad that she can barely read and write, buy "Toe by Toe" and work through it with her. She will make dramatic improvements.