We believe that it is essential that students who struggle with literacy understand that they can learn, they just need to learn differently. Our teachers are trained in a Multi-Sensory Language (MSL) approach to teaching, which is an evidence based instruction with the addition of a multisensory component, and is considered the gold standard of literacy instruction. Direct, explicit and structured language instruction with a multisensory component has been shown to assist ALL students, including those with dyslexia and related difficulties
Multisensory instruction involves teaching tasks that use visual, auditory and kinesthetic-tactile pathways simultaneously to enhance learning and memorisation of written language. MSL teachers will design individual lessons which reinforce what students see, hear and feel when learning aspects of reading and spelling. This method can be used for instruction in other subjects as well. A child who struggles to learn in the classroom needs to discover how their own brain can process, retain and re-use those skills or recall that information when required. These children needs lots of practice in manipulating sounds and words – taking them apart and putting them back together again – using as many senses as possible to enhance and strengthen the organisation and retention of written language.
Current research highlights that ALL students need literacy instruction which is direct and explicit, cumulative, structured and systematic. All students who struggle with language can benefit from MSL instruction regardless of the cause of their language difficulties.
For more information on MSL instruction, please refer to the website of the Australian Dyslexia Association.