DAMMAM: A group of Saudi language educators has set up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Association of Language Teachers (KSAALT) to promote and support language instruction across the country. About 80 Saudi language teachers have so far signed up for membership of the association, according to Hamdallah Al-Husban, newly-elected KSAALT president. “Our aim is to set a new direction in dealing with learning disabilities in the language classroom,” said Al-Husban. He said the association is primarily focused on dyslexia, a specific learning disability in the area of reading and writing that is prevalent among Saudi students. An individual with this condition usually has difficulty in reading, writing and spelling. He added that such deficiencies are not the result of emotional problems, lack of motivation, poor teaching, mental retardation, or vision and hearing deficits. Meeting for the second time since its inception, KSAALT invited Dr. Hazel Denhart, an expert in dyslexia, who presented some of the latest, cutting-edge research on dyslexia and other forms of learning disabilities to the KSAALT members who face unusual challenges in teaching students with learning challenges. Denhart, who is currently a member of the Faculty of Humanities at Prince Muhammad University (PMU), explained to the members of the association that dyslexia is neurologically-based, and people with the condition are not stupid. Most have average or above-average intelligence and are trying their best to overcome this learning problem, she said. “In the classroom, students with dyslexia must be given their text in an audio format as well as in print. They need to listen while they read,” said Denhart. “Dyslexic students also need access to the teacher's lesson plans and teaching notes so that they can more easily follow the lesson.” It is especially important for them to learn material in context and not in a vague or abstract manner, she said. “In foreign language learning, such students would need to hold an apple, bite into it, and say its name; they need practical and concrete methods.” “Dyslexic students need to understand the language in the context of action,” she added. Al-Husban said KSAALT plans to convene a national conference in May 2011 to highlight the importance of addressing the learning disabilities of Saudi students.
