learning differences Archives

The Expert Edge: Online training on core topics that all adult and family literacy professionals should know. Stay sharp with The Expert Edge!

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This online session will be held on:

Thursday, November 7, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (CT).

Check-in for registered participants will open on Zoom at 1:20 PM.

Join us for “Plain Language for Clearer Communication & Better Understanding.”

This literacy training session will focus on the importance of using plain language with adult literacy students. Presenter Kathryn Bauchelle will take us through some reasons to make plain language a priority, and some practical ways to incorporate it into your programs.

This training session is offered free of charge to Texas nonprofit professionals who work in the fields of adult and family literacy. The session provides 1.5 hours of professional development.

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ABOUT THIS TRAINING SESSION

Simplifying the way we communicate with one another can benefit everybody. Focusing on Plain Language means that the highest priority of a document, speech, or other piece of communication is being understood.

Most of us already start with that priority – but it’s very easy for other aspects to get in the way, without us even being conscious of them. Sometimes we give too much information. Sometimes we use big words in an effort to sound knowledgeable. Other times our layout, or word choices (like using too many idioms, for example), or other factors, can get in the way of clear understanding.

Plain Language can particularly benefit adult learners. When someone is learning English, or learning to read, having information made as clear as possible can make a huge difference.

Speaking and writing plainly is an intentional approach that we adopt in order to help those around us. Plain Language is not an exact science – but there are some guiding principles that can help us. Come along to this session to learn about some of those principles, and have a chance to practice them with peers and in a learning environment.

Presenter: Kathryn Bauchelle

Kathryn began her plain language journey in Houston, in around 2010. Directing a volunteer-based adult literacy program at that time, it became very clear to her that too many things – from new student orientation sessions, to flyers, to intake forms, to much more – were simply too complex for the students. Over the next few years, she and the programs team overhauled pretty much everything – always with clear communication as the main goal.

Kathryn’s background is in literacy, language acquisition, and education. She has worked in the Texas adult literacy field since moving to Houston in 2008.

PD Certificates

Someone who completes the full session will receive X hours of PD credit.

Certificates of completion will be awarded after the event. Complete the survey after the training is finished to give your details and get your certificate. Surveys will be sent via email in the days following the training.

Downloads

Download a flyer to display at your location or send to others who may be interested in attending [link whole sentence to PDF of flyer].

Downloadable PDF flyer for this training session is coming soon.

Special thanks to:

[presenter]

[name of any sponsors or other partners – as many as relevant, new line for each]

The Texas Workforce Commission

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Checked/updated: 11/7/24

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month

Dyslexia is a learning difference, one that specifically affects language processing.

Dyslexia is many things, and among them, it’s an intriguing balance of abilities.

“The advantage of dyslexia is that my brain puts information in my head in a different way.”

Whoopi Goldberg

Actor

Some basic facts about dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects reading and spelling ability, along with literacy skills development. It’s a different way of dealing with language in the brain. The most common form of dyslexia interrupts a student’s ability to split words into their component sounds, which makes sounding out words and spelling extremely challenging.

People are born with dyslexia, and it runs in families. It’s estimated that between 15 and 20% of Americans have some form of dyslexia, but the majority of people who have it don’t know that they do.

There’s more to dyslexia than getting words mixed up or out of order – and some people with dyslexia never even display this symptom. Since dyslexia affects how the brain processes language, someone might:

Memorize words but be unable to sound them out
Substitute words in sentences for other words that make sense
Have difficulty with handwriting
Show confusion with directions (left and right, before and after, over and under – this is where the reversal of “b” and “d” might show up, a symptom of dyslexia many people know)
Find recall difficult, especially for names and words

“If anyone ever puts you down for having dyslexia, don’t believe them. Being dyslexic can actually be a big advantage, and it has certainly helped me.”

Richard Branson

CEO, Virgin

Some distinct advantages

While dyslexia – especially when undiagnosed – can definitely cause people a lot of frustration and problems, there are some distinct advantages to the condition. People with dyslexia often have:

Heightened levels of creativity
Higher levels of intelligence
Greater artistic and mechanical abilities
Outside-the-box thinking
Ability to see the big picture and connect ideas

“I didn’t succeed despite my dyslexia, but because of it. It wasn’t my deficit, but my advantage. Although there are neurological trade-offs that require that I work creatively [and] smarter in reading, writing and speaking, I would never wish to be any other way than my awesome self. I love being me, regardless of the early challenges I faced.”

Scott Sonnon

Professional Athlete

Preparing for success

Perhaps most importantly – dyslexia needs specific interventions. The earlier a person is diagnosed with dyslexia and given personal help, the better, but it’s never too late.

Effective instruction for people with dyslexia is:

Personal to their specific needs, including in pace
Delivered one-on-one or in very small groups
Repetitive, to allow lots of practice and error correction
Positive and encouraging

“Dyslexia is not a pigeonhole to say you can’t do anything. It is an opportunity and a possibility to learn differently. You have magical brains, they just process differently. Don’t feel like you should be held back by it.”

Princess Beatrice

UK royal family

Sources and further reading

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The Expert Edge: Plain Language