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We all want our kids to thrive at school, but what happens when something as fundamental as reading feels impossible? Dyslexia, a common learning disability affecting up to 20% of the population (and 80 to 90% of those with learning disabilities), turns the joy of learning into a daily struggle for many children.

But here's the uplifting news - educators and parents can make a world of difference with the right strategies in place.

In this blog post, we’ll teach you how you can turn your child’s trials into triumphs - and make their dyslexia just a mere footnote in their ultimate story of success.

Dyslexia: An Overview

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that primarily affects reading and language processing.

It's not about intelligence - many individuals with dyslexia are highly intelligent and creative. When you have dyslexia, the connection between sounds and letters is mixed up. Students with dyslexia tend to struggle with phonological processing, spelling, and decoding words.

As you might expect, this makes reading an uphill battle. Just imagine trying to read a book where the letters constantly scramble themselves - that's a glimpse into the experience of someone with dyslexia.

Signs of Dyslexia in Children

Imagine watching your child strain to make sense of the words on a page. Dyslexia can be a hurdle for students to overcome, but with the right support, they can thrive. Providing the right support starts with being able to identify the signs.

While the signs can differ between children, some common signs include difficulty in recognizing letters, inconsistent spelling, and slow reading speed. You might notice a child struggling to match letters to sounds or having trouble remembering sequences like the alphabet.

Sometimes, it's not just about reading; these children might also struggle with writing, spelling, and even pronouncing words correctly. Dyslexia can also manifest itself in the form of other issues, too, such as confusing left and right, clumsy finger movements, and trouble keeping track of time.

So what kinds of impact does dyslexia have on a child’s life? You might assume that dyslexia is just about schoolwork. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Dyslexia doesn't just affect academic performance -  it can also impact a child's self-esteem and overall well-being.

Students with dyslexia often experience frustration, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy. These feelings can lead to a negative attitude towards school and learning in general.

Strategies for Supporting Students With Dyslexia

Let’s take a look at some strategies you can try to help support your student with dyslexia.

Remember, as you go through, that you need to promote healthy self-perception and coping skills in your child - these habits will serve them well throughout their academic journey, but especially as they learn to live with dyslexia.

Tailor your approach to your child's learning style, adapting your methods as needed to meet their distinct requirements. As their confidence grows, take time to celebrate every small win.

1. Incorporate All the Senses

One effective way to support students with dyslexia is through multisensory learning. Engage their senses by incorporating tactile and kinesthetic activities along with visual and auditory materials.

For instance, using sandpaper letters can help children feel the shape of letters while saying the sounds aloud. This method reinforces learning and helps solidify connections in the brain.

When we experience abstract ideas through multiple senses - sight, sound, and touch - they start to feel more real and accessible.

2. Leverage Assistive Technology

Dyslexia can present significant challenges, but innovative technology is helping bridge the gap. Take text-to-speech software and word processors with robust spell-check – they're revolutionizing the way students learn.

Writing just got a whole lot easier thanks to tools like Dragon Naturally Speaking, which allow students to simply talk their way through essays and skip the keyboard gymnastics.

With technology like this, the 'I can do it!' factor kicks in, empowering students to take on challenges that once seemed out of reach, building confidence with each triumph.

3. Work on Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is critical for developing strong reading skills, but it’s challenging for readers with dyslexia.

Therefore, activities that focus on sound manipulation, like rhyming games and segmenting sounds, can be particularly beneficial.

Creating a word wall with words listed by phoneme or teaching words phonetically using multisensory methods can enhance understanding.

Similarly, phonics-based spelling lists that follow a certain scope and sequence can also be quite helpful in improving literacy skills.

4. Teach Spelling Patterns and Syllables

Understanding spelling patterns and syllables can demystify the structure of words for students with dyslexia. Break down words into their syllabic components and teach common spelling rules.

For example, focusing on the "magic e" rule can help students understand why certain words are spelled the way they are. Regular practice with these patterns can lead to better spelling and reading fluency.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider incorporating a student-centered curriculum like this one. It offers personalized, error-specific feedback that can help any student succeed.

5. Use Line Readers or Other Tracking Aides

Keeping track of their place on a page can be doubly challenging for students with dyslexia. The good news is that there are tools that not can dramatically improve reading accuracy. But that’s not all  - they can also make the reading experience more manageable and less overwhelming, and they’re more affordable and accessible than you might assume.

Line readers or overlay tools can help focus their attention on one line at a time, reducing visual stress. Digital scanning pens that read text aloud can also be incredibly useful.

6. Try Audiobooks When Helpful

While they may not help with phonetic skills, audiobooks can significantly boost reading comprehension and enjoyment of literature; that’s because they allow students to access content above their reading level.

Audiobooks can expose students to richer vocabulary and more complex sentence structures, which, with practice, can enhance their language skills and foster a love for reading.

7. Teach Visualization

Imagine being able to instantly connect with the words on the page – that's the power of visualization techniques for dyslexic students.

To do this, encourage your students to create mental images of what they're reading or to draw pictures that represent stories or concepts. This strategy can make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable. It can also turn reading into an engaging and imaginative activity rather than a source of frustration.

8. Provide Appropriate Accommodations

Accommodations can level the playing field for students with dyslexia. They make sure students are assessed based on understanding rather than reading ability, allowing them to demonstrate and showcase their true potential.

Extended time on tests, the option to provide oral rather than written answers, and quiet study spaces are just a few examples. Exempting students from reading aloud in class can also reduce anxiety.

9. Try Pocket Spellcheckers

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a trusty sidekick that can instantly correct spelling mistakes and offer smart suggestions? That’s exactly what pocket spell checkers do for students with dyslexia. They offer immediate spelling corrections and suggestions, in the process helping students feel more confident in their writing.

By reducing the stress associated with spelling, pocket spell checkers can encourage more frequent and spontaneous writing - and make it less of a chore for students who struggle with dyslexia.

10. Keep the Lines of Communication Open 

When it comes to teaching the student with dyslexia how to read, teamwork truly does make the dreamwork. We’re all in this together, so make sure you’re collaborating with other partners in the process, like teachers and parents.

Sharing observations, progress, and concerns can lead to a more cohesive and effective support plan. If you’re a teacher, you can encourage parents to provide feedback on the strategies used at home and school (and vice versa).

The Takeaway

Supporting students with dyslexia isn’t always easy - and it will also require a one-on-one approach. doesn’t rely on uniform solutions. Each student with dyslexia will likely be different from the next, so you’ll need to keep experimenting and refining your approach until you find stareties that work the best for each unique student.

Need help getting started? The right resources can make a world of difference - and the good news is that there are plenty of them out there.

The McGraw Hill StudySync curriculum is a comprehensive 6-12 ELA curriculum that includes rich multimedia and other resources to drive your literacy education home, all in a way that’s accessible to students with unique learning needs.

Remember, reading is just the starting point – the real payoff is watching a child's confidence soar and their enthusiasm for learning grow.

Want to become part of the conversation? Join our community of educators on Facebook or Instagram to share your journey and find support. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of students with dyslexia.

How about we continue this discussion? Join us at McGraw Hill on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Share your experiences, get support, and join the conversation with like-minded people. Together, we can be inspired and make a real impact in our classrooms.

Imagine stepping into a classroom where you don't fully understand the language being spoken. For many second language learners, this scenario is a daily reality. They often face unique challenges that require tailored strategies to make sure they’re successful. 

The number of English language learners worldwide alone is 1.5 billion (to say nothing of students learning other languages as a second language!)- and the number is growing by the day. Although English is the most commonly learned language, other popular choices are Mandarin Chinese, Spanish (the second most common after English), French, Japanese, Arabic, and German.

It’s not just about succeeding in the classroom, either. While many students learn another language as a matter of necessity - to get good grades or get by in their day to day lives - countless others are finding that it helps in all walks of life.

And there’s lots you can do to help. Learning a new language is great for kids’ self esteem, with a study by Rosetta Stone showing that 89% of language learners reported increased self-confidence as a result.

In this post, we'll explore 12 practical and effective strategies for supporting second language learners in any classroom.

12 Strategies for Supporting Second Language Learners

Supporting second language learners in the classroom can be a rewarding - yet challenging - task for educators.

These students bring diverse cultural perspectives and rich linguistic backgrounds that can enrich the learning environment - but they need the right kind of support in order to do so.

1. Watch How You Speak

Being mindful of your speech is crucial when teaching second language learners. Start by taking a few pauses between sentences to give students time to process information.

Rephrasing idiomatic expressions can also help. For instance, instead of saying "break the ice," you might say "make everyone feel comfortable."

Clarifying cultural allusions is equally important. Explain references that might not be familiar to students from different backgrounds, like historical events or popular TV shows.

2. Be Clear About Your Expectations and Rules

Consistency is key. When a student turns in unsatisfactory work or submits an assignment late, apply your usual policies and explain the reasons. You need to make sure that all students understand that rules apply equally to everyone.

If you notice signs of plagiarism, such as sentences with varying levels of academic English, address them directly. For exams, discourage the use of electronic translators.

Instead, encourage students to ask questions if they don't understand exam words or concepts.

3. Rethink Your Questioning

Rethinking how you ask questions can make a big difference. Ask questions in a few different ways to check for understanding.

For example, if you ask, "What is the main idea of this paragraph?" you might rephrase it as, "Can you tell me the most important point in this section?"

Similarly, encourage volunteers, but also call on students by name, giving non-native speakers time to process questions.

Pair students up to discuss answers before sharing with the class, providing additional processing time and reducing anxiety.

The ultimate takeaway here? You’ve got to mix things up! They say that variety is the spice of life, and that’s great advice when you’re considering how to tailor your instruction to English language learners.

4. Use Visual Aids

Visual aids, like charts, diagrams, and images, are invaluable for second language learners.

But you should also go one step further than that - print clearly and provide written information about homework and assignments. Oral quizzes should also be projected or delivered in written form to make sure the material is comprehended.

5. Encourage Collaboration

Encourage students to sit next to peers from different cultures rather than clustering with those from their own background.

Distribute non-native speakers among groups with native English speakers. Design group tasks that require active participation from each member. Monitor groups to make sure that all students, especially non-native speakers, are included and understood.

6. Consider Alternative Learning Styles

Recognize that students have different learning styles. Some may benefit from visual aids, while others may prefer hands-on activities. Incorporate a variety of teaching methods to cater to these diverse needs.

For example, use interactive whiteboards, group discussions, and practical demonstrations to engage all learners.

7. Think About Culture-Specific Writing and Speaking Conventions

Cultural differences can affect how students write and speak, and being aware of (and reflecting) these conventions for your teaching can be incredibly supportive.

For example, in China, students may not be accustomed to spelling out all details, while in Turkey, discussing personal experiences in class might be seen as disrespectful. Being aware of these conventions can help you better understand and support your students.

8. Give Extra Time

Providing extra time for assignments and tests can be a simple yet effective way to support second language learners. This allows them to process information and formulate their responses more thoroughly.

9. Use Rubrics

Rubrics provide clear expectations and criteria for assignments, helping students understand what is required. They also offer a consistent and fair way to grade work. Share rubrics with students before they start working on an assignment to set clear guidelines.

10. Provide Low-Stakes Assignments

If you want to encourage a growth mindset - and reduce anxiety of all students, including those who are native English speakers - you may want to take advantage of low-stakes assignments every now and then.

Low-stakes assignments, like group projects, can help build confidence and skills without the pressure of high grades. You can use these assignments to provide constructive feedback and encourage improvement.

11. Keep Discussions Focused

Keeping class discussions focused and on-topic helps second language learners follow along and participate. Use guiding questions and prompts to steer the conversation.

It’s easy to get off topic, especially when the conversation is headed in a productive direction, but these sorts of detours can be overwhelming for non-native speakers. Pause periodically to summarize key points periodically, which should help reinforce understanding.

12. Use Language Learning Apps

Language learning apps can be a valuable tool for second language learners. There are countless apps, like Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone, that offer interactive and engaging ways for your ELL students to practice their blossoming language skills. Similarly, ELA programs offer an integrated approach for all students, regardless of English fluency.

Encourage students to use these apps and programs outside of class to reinforce learning and see if there are ways you can incorporate them into your teaching.

How about we continue this discussion? Join us at McGraw Hill on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Share your experiences, get support, and join the conversation with like-minded people. Together, we can be inspired and make a real impact in our classrooms.