The Most Important Thing: Students with Reading and Writing Difficulties Talk About their Experiences of Teachers' Treatment and Guidance

Abstract

Dyslexia is a well-known phenomenon and help and assistance are offered to pupils and students who experience literacy difficulties on a regular basis. But what help do they need and want? In this article the responses people with reading and writing difficulties/dyslexia give to this question are discussed. What, if we take the student's own viewpoint, is the most important thing the teacher can do? The students never mention any particular teaching methods. What appears as important to them is that the teacher sees them as individuals, not just as dyslectics, understands the special difficulties with which each individual must grapple, and provides the students with suitable tools for their learning as well as necessary time and space.

Keywords:

• dyslexia
• phenomenology
• students' perspective
• the art of teaching

Notes

¹Folk high-school is a type of school for adults, mainly represented in the Nordic countries. Folk high-schools were first established in the middle of the nineteenth century as a part of a democratic adult education movement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cecilia Nielsen

Cecilia Nielsen, Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, University West.