Strategies to support learners with SLCN

Given the complexity of language development and use in educational settings, it is not surprising that there are many resources to support learners with SLCN. It is useful to be familiar with the resources available in your school setting. The strategies used must be linked to the assessment of pupil need, as described in Figure 1 (Attention and listening).

In addition to specific strategies, there remains a need to be skilled in using strategies that support ‘generic’ aspects of learning for pupils with SLCN. Such pupils are likely to have a residual need across all contexts for support that does the following:

■ builds confidence and independence;

■ enhances and monitors attention and listening skills;

■ encourages the development of memory for learning;

■ enables the learning of ‘new’ vocabulary, e.g. subject specific;

■ provides guidance on how to respond to different question forms;

■ fosters the development of written language skills;

■ provides contexts and conditions that foster social participation.