Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that affects students’ reading and writing abilities. Early diagnosis through professional assessment and timely intervention are crucial. Early support helps students during critical developmental stages, minimizing the impact of dyslexia on their academic performance. Teachers and parents should observe students’ learning performance closely and seek professional help when symptoms are suspected.

However, with appropriate learning strategies and support, students with dyslexia can significantly improve their reading comprehension abilities. Below are some effective methods:

1. Personalised Teaching

Personalized teaching based on each student’s specific needs is a key approach to improving reading comprehension. Differentiated teaching strategies and individualized learning plans tailored to students’ diverse abilities can make a significant difference. Examples include:

• Adding phonetic aids (HanYu PinYin) or illustrations to help students understand difficult words in texts.
• Allowing extra time for reading tasks and incorporating multisensory teaching methods (e.g., visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic).
• Using specific visual symbols to assist students in analysing text and summarizing paragraphs.
• Employing mapping tools – Story Mountain to help students grasp story structures and plot changes, students can place prepared story content cards in appropriate positions on the story mountain.
• Using guided questioning to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  For example, teachers can guide students to first identify “question keywords” (e.g., why, what, where) and relevant clues in the text.
• Providing answer templates as a scaffolded exercise when necessary.
  
  

2. Providing Assistive Tools

Assistive tools can greatly enhance the reading comprehension abilities of students with dyslexia. Common tools include:

• Text-to-Speech Software: Helps students listen to text content, reducing the strain of reading.
• E-books and Audiobooks: These resources use auditory methods to aid text comprehension.
• Rulers or High-Definition Magnifiers: Help students read text more clearly.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI tools can support dyslexic students by enhancing teaching efficiency and creating tailored learning resources. For instance:
  • AI adjusts learning difficulty dynamically based on student progress, ensuring gradual challenges within a comfortable zone.
  • AI generates related images, animations, or videos to provide visual explanations of text content.
  • AI motivates students through goal-based rewards (e.g., points or badges), encouraging intrinsic motivation.

3. Foundational Skills Strengthening – Vocabulary and Grammar Instruction

Vocabulary and grammar are essential for reading comprehension. Using images, examples, and repetitive exercises can help students grasp new words and structures more effectively.

4. Fostering Interest in Reading

Encouraging students’ interest in reading is crucial. Choosing books that align with their interests and levels makes reading more engaging. Allowing students to select materials and participate in discussions enhances their enthusiasm and understanding.

5. Providing Emotional Support

Students with dyslexia may face challenges, making emotional support essential. Teachers and parents should offer encouragement to help build confidence in reading and overcome learning obstacles.

Conclusion

While dyslexia presents challenges, early identification and effective strategies can help students improve reading comprehension. Through collaborative efforts, we can create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for these students.

Article written by:
Liu Hai Feng
RETA Associate Fellow