foreign languages and Learning disabilities.?

Question

I went to a private school for LD and they did not help me at all.They told me they are not trying to
help me acheive anything we just work you at your level and thats it.How was that helping me?They
did not offer foreign languages.I was denied to
take Geometry,Algebra 2 and many other courses.
I was not going to get a diploma a certificate instead.Thats why I quit.I felt like a loser.
If you do not have a foreign language in high school
that means no college.This school told me I can not be helped and thats why I was there(dumping ground).They are the reason I hate school and will
never go again.This was in the 1970s.
Can LD kids do a foreign language?

Answer 1

I'm so sorry you had such a negative experience. It sounds like the people you spoke to did not take the time to explain how our brains acquire language.

If you do in fact qualify as "LD", that doesn't mean that you cannot learn. It just indicates that your learning patterns are different from the majority -- not wrong, just different.

To answer your question about foreign languages, usually we don't recommend language courses during the time that students are working to get a firm foundation on good reading and writing skills in English, if their learning disability is in the area of language. But once they have achieved enough progress, sure, they can start learning a foreign language.

You don't have to have foreign language to go to college. Find a community college or a university that offers accommodations for students with learning disabilities. Things have changed a LOT since the 1970's, believe me. The people there will help you to achieve your dreams, even if you have to do it in baby steps. You may have to earn your GED first, but that shouldn't be too difficult if you make up your mind to work for it.

When I applied to community college, I was 36 years old. They told me I would have to take "remedial" math classes, because I had forgotten so much since high school. I did that, and started taking all the other required courses. I enrolled for College Math three times, and every time, I had to drop it, because I couldn't understand it. Instead, I signed up for easier math courses. And I survived!

I hope that answers your question. Believe in yourself, and your dreams can come true. Don't let others decide who you are.

Answer 2

It's hard for some people without learning disabilities to learn a foreign language. I tried several times to learn Spanish but I don't have an ear for other languages and I find it difficult to memorize long lists of foreign words and remember them. Some people learn other languages easily. I don't happen to be one of them and I am not learning disabled. But obviously if someone is learning disabled they might have difficulty in learning another language.

Answer 3

There are somethings that you have to realize in the seventies they were just beginning to realize that there were other LD's besides Developmental delays. The first federal law making sure that children with LD's get an education wasn't passed until 1974. I was born in the fifties and I couldn't read well until the fifth grade. I was considered dumb because I couldn't read, I learned when I had to stay home for a year from school because of an operation on my hip. The teacher that came that year concentrated on getting me to read and now I read all the time. I wasn't diagnosed with dyslexia until I was in my late forties. So things have changed a lot. Some students depending on the disability won't get a foreign language. My daughter who's dyslexic also will be taking American sign language so that she won't have to deal with another language that would be difficult for her to learn because of her dyslexia. A lot of things have changed since the 70's and if you went to school now they would have to make accommodations for your LD to ensure that you had the best chance of completing the course.

Answer 4

I am a German teacher with 10 years' experience in the classroom. Throughout my teaching career, not only have I had special education students but I have WELCOMED them. My students' disabilities have ranged from extreme LD (70 IQ) to EI to higher functioning LD. You neglect to say what the specifics of your disability are, but I can assure you I've had a LOT of luck with getting my students in this category to perform. Indeed, many of them have gotten A's or B's.
MOST of my success has been attributed to my willingness (in my opinion) to follow IEPs and to work closely with the Resource teachers. I am not saying that EVERY special education student I've ever had has been "successful;" that's actually NOT true. I am saying, however, that mechanisms were in place to see to it that they COULD succeed should they want to. Where most of my students who fell through the cracks did, was when they tried to use their disability for an excuse as to why they "couldn't " do the work.
It all comes down to choices. Sounds like YOUR school made some bad ones regarding your abilities (which is illegal) BUT that YOU made an even WORSE choice by leaving school. I would get back INTO school as quick as I might and get my diploma. Fight for what you want;you DO have certain rights under the federal law IDEAA that even the so-called "normal" kids don't have. Good luck

Answer 5

Absolutely. Granted, it may be a tough job--but definately yes. Unfortunately, while "best practice" special education no longer accepts such stereotypes, in practice (as you can see from a couple of other post on this board rigt now) many so-called "special ed professionals" are still back in the dark ages.

For you personally, I'd just say that your post shows you can almost certainly handle college level work. I don't know your actual educational level, but if you want (just for your own satisfaction, if nothing else) want to go to college (and have a decent job when you get done as well) you CAN do so. Start by contacting your state Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation if you need too get a GED--and just keep going as far as you feel like you want to go. If voc-rehab won't cover college for you, you can finance it on your own through studnet grants and loans (I did--w/o vocational rehab--and had only $1200 in loans when I graduated). It is possible--and realistic.

Whatever your life goals, good luck to you!

Answer 6

Yes, I was diagnosed with several learning disabilities as a child and still took 2 years of German.. I didn't do very well at it.. , but now, 10 years later I can still read it with no problem.. (speaking and understanding it in conversation not so good) My only real hinderance being that I need to practice it ALOT to memorize how it sounds, and memorize exactly how to pronounce it.. but I had no one to practice with.. a small class, and none of them could stand me.. (it was mutual)..

To be honest though, I've noticed that they have started getting kids into foreign languages alot sooner.. (it wasn't even an option for me until I was a Junior in high school).. My nephew is .. 8 (I think) and taking Spanish..

Answer 7

Sure they can! It is important to remember that students with learning disabilities are multi-faceted human beings. While certain academic areas may be areas of need, languages may be a strength. Check into Gardner's Theory of Intelligences.

On a personal note, I am currently learning Hindi and many of my students find it very rewarding to study Hindi at the end of a difficult lesson. It provides mental stimulation, language skills, and gives them a little something they know more about than their peers.

Answer 8

it,s possible for some one to get 1 on 1 teaching for a new language but it,s essayer if they are kids but it,s also people can learn as an adult also there is tapes on the t.v. that sell to teach a new language.