Deeper Understanding of Reading and Dyslexia – 10-week Series
Registration for 2022 now OPEN
Afrikaans (TGD) registration open in March 2022
This series of online lectures and activities is aimed at professionals and parents who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of dyslexia by learning about the most recently researched approaches to dyslexia
You will develop an in-depth understanding of reading difficulties and dyslexia, as it focuses on the definitions and causality, and looks broadly at co-occurring difficulties and the impact that dyslexia has on learning. The reading brain and the acquisition of reading and language will also be explored. Practical, evidence-based reading strategies and tools on teaching methods will be learned.
Participants will be taught screening and intervention methods with school aged learners who have reading difficulties or dyslexia.
The course in 2022 will be offered online through weekly lectures, online coursework and tutor support.
Sessions are structured, interactive, and supportive, and you will build a resource file throughout the ten weeks to support your understanding of dyslexia. The additional purchase of a recommended textbook will support your learning, but it is not compulsory.
The Ten-week series starts on 24th January 2022. Live sessions run on Monday afternoons from 4pm-6pm SAST.
However, all sessions will be recorded, and you will be able to work through the weekly materials at your own pace.
HPCSA accreditation has been applied for
Course Recognition
Bellavista S.H.A.R.E has trained in excess of 200 post graduate professionals since its inception, including members of the school’s own staff, in the specialist area of literacy and dyslexia. This part time course, offered over 18 months can be taken by module or as a full course.
The course provides teachers, therapists, psychologists and administrators with a deep understanding of how reading develops and provides evidence based methods for teaching reading.
Participants will be taught screening and intervention methods with school aged learners who have reading difficulties or dyslexia.
Modular or Full Course Option
The course is offered in three distinct modules. Enrol and pay for each module separately, enjoying the flexibility to determine your own exit point whilst retaining the option to return to the course at a later date, or enrol for the full course.
Please note:- each module is a prerequisite for the next;
- students can take a maximum limit of two years between modules;
- modules are available both online and via a blended learning approach.
Tutoring for the profiling and intervention is included in the course fee. Students are expected to purchase text books estimated at R5 000.00. There is an option to register with BDA at own cost (estimated at UK 90 pounds).
Course Outcomes
On completion of this course, students will:
- Have knowledge of the “reading brain”, understand reading difficulties, dyslexia, causation and indicators of risk for dyslexia;
- Access evidence based methodologies for teaching reading and effective classroom and small group teaching strategies for phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, spelling and writing;
- Deploy practices for dyslexia friendly classrooms, schools and use of accommodations;
- Have knowledge of levels of assessing & ethics of profiling learners’ reading difficulties or risk for dyslexia;
- Be able to select appropriate tools and processes for screening and assessing;
- Develop and use informal tools and administer a selective battery of standardised tests;
- Administer, interpret raw data, write a report and feedback to parents, teachers and learners, using the selected batteries;
- Incorporate principles and practices of structured, systematic programmes with an individual and/or small group of learners;
- Plan, develop resources and facilitate lessons;
- Adjust lessons based on learner progress and own reflections.
Admission Requirements
- A professional qualification;
- A minimum of two years educational or therapeutic experience, ideally in an educational context.
The Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) awards for 90 CEUs (Level 2) as well as an additional 30 CEU points (Level 1) for the full course. 5 Ethics Points apply.
The South African Council of Educators (SACE) awards 45 CPTD.
The course is accredited by the British Dyslexia Association (BDA).
Beyond training others, Bellavista S.H.A.R.E contributes to research in theory and practice around the subject of dyslexia and is affiliated with universities in South Africa and abroad.
Assessment of Outcomes
For successful completion of the course, students will:
- Complete an assignment on the theory of reading, dyslexia and its implications for identification and screening
- Conduct a case study with one learner and/or small group of learners, including the profiling of literacy difficulties and risk for dyslexia, develop lesson plans and the deliver 20 hours of intervention. The entire case study will be supervised by a tutor, who will guide the process;
- Complete a reflective assignment on the case study
Course Presentation
The course is online with live weekly online lectures.
All learning material and facilitation is online. Students work through the course content and activities independently each week under the guidance of a coordinator and, occasionally, a synchronous session will be scheduled.
Students must have access to a high-speed Internet connection and software updated within the last three years.
Key Contacts
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