7:00am Tuesday 5th August 2008
By Deborah Lewis
A RAPID learning programme for dyslexic children championed by an East Lancashire education group is set to be adopted by the Welsh Assembly.
Former teacher Pauline Vaughan who runs 1st Class Education, private after-school tutor groups held in Blackburn, Great Harwood and Burnley, became the first North West licensee of the Fast ForWord programme two years ago.
The American intensive computer-based programme focuses on helping learners get better at processing rapidly changing sounds, by slowing down words and drawing out syllables so that a child can distinguish the sounds, before gradually speeding them up again.
The exercises are presented in the form of computer games that reward learners when they correctly recognise sounds, and the software adapts the difficulty level depending on the learner’s results.
Pauline, a teacher for over 25 years, applied for a programme licence for after travelling to Ireland to see it in practise.
She said: “I found Fast ForWord on the internet when I was desperately searching for a programme that would serve the needs of my pupils with learning difficulties.
“It was different because it goes back further than other programmes, breaking language down into tiny bits of sound instead of just phonics. It was also the first programme I found that has a version specifically for teenagers.”
So successful has the programme been in helping her pupils with learning difficulties including dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism, that Pauline contacted the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff after hearing that it was about to set up a committee to undertake an extensive study of methods to help dyslexic pupils.
Pauline, from Belvedere Road in Wilpshire, said: “I heard about the committee from a friend who teachers in Wales, and I felt I had to let them know about Fast ForWord.
“I’ve seen such marvellous results with local children, one boy increased his reading age by two years in just four months.
“It actually changes the way that the brain works so the results are lasting.”
The Welsh Assembly Rappouteur Group issued its report last month and said it was “particularly impressed” by Fast ForWord due to the way it can support higher numbers of dyslexic children at the same time compared to other methods; the game format which keeps children interested; and the way progress can be monitored.
The report recommends that the Welsh Government commission a pilot study of Fast ForWord.
Pauline, who set up 1st Class Education in 1993 to provide the extra support her dyspraxic son needed, said: “I’m really pleased they’ve recognised its value and I truly hope the pilot goes ahead.
“I’m also planning to approach East Lancashire schools and education authorities next term about introducing the programme, because I’m so passionate about it.”
1st Class Education classes are held in Heaton St, Blackburn twice a week and once a week at Central Methodist Hall in Ormerod Street, Burnley and Lowerfold Community Centre in Great Harwood.
Pupils of all levels and abilities attend, from those with learning difficulties referred by schools and speech therapists, to those who want to improve their SATs results.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk