Specialist dyslexia teachers - questions about training

[BigBobBoots]

I've been teaching (upper primary) for a couple of years now, and I'd like to do some training to help me support pupils with dyslexia. I'll be funding this myself and doing it in my own time.
Initially I'm looking to just gain skills to help me as a class teacher, but am open to moving on to more qualifications in the future and specialising in this area.
The courses I've come across are by the British Dyslexia Assoc and Dyslexia Action. They talk of Level 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7.
At the moment I don't need a qualification, it's just to build my skills and make me a better teacher, but of course would prefer that anything I do now counts towards future qualification if possible.
Does anyone have any experience of these courses? Anything to look out for? And what is the difference between the courses offered by the two organisations?
I'd be grateful for any tips before I commit my time and money.

If you're already a teacher it's quite simple. Your best bet is to do the level 5 and than the 7 if you're interested in doing assessments. Level 5 covers all the teaching and practical bits, level 7 the assessments. The rest will be too easy for you. The earlier levels are designed for people to train up without prior teaching experience.
It doesn't really matter where you do it. Some places charge huge amounts. I know a few FE colleges in the Midlands are quite cheap though. Whichever you choose, make sure it's accredited by dyslexia association.

Teaching Literacy to Learners with Dyslexia: A Multi-sensory Approach
Book by Kathleen Kelly and Sylvia Phillips

This book is required reading material on the L5 and up courses. It's referenced a lot in the courses. It's quite pricey but includes lesson plans and lots of resources if you want to have a look without committing to the course.

Thank you foxes that’s really helpful. I’ll order that book to get me started!

I’m considering doing the same thing. I am an experienced teacher, but now work as a tutor. The level 5 course run through the BDA is about £1,600 and takes 6 months, if your work full time at it! That’s what makes me hesitate. So much money to find.

@7eleven As someone who works in the field now I just want to say, depending on where you are, it is a very saturated field.
A lot of people fork out a lot on this qualification and don't get that much out in terms of work prospects. If you're already tutoring I would seek out some dyslexic students first, or even kids in Y2/3 who are struggling. If you can't find any, this will give you a good idea as to the availability of work in your area. It's also much more time consuming than normal tutoring. Lots of manipulatives to prepare and you can't really reuse plans.

Thank you foxes and squirrels for your kind advice. My books are currently full, so I more want to improve my skills than find pupils. By nature of being an additional educator, I already teach several children diagnosed with dyslexia. It’s more about wanting to be better at supporting them. I won’t make the money back. I also have pupils with dyscalculia, so might do level 3 courses in both. I dunno. I keep procrastinating!

Interesting foxes. I'm not sure that I want to get a qualification at this point, I just want to address the needs of my class better. I've just signed up for some 1 day courses with the British Dyslexia assoc in the hope they can give me some practical tips.