CREATING SUCCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN POSTSECONDARY FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSES

The number of students with learning disabilities (LD) attending postsecondary institutions has increased steadily over the past two decades. Many of these students have language-based learning difficulties that create barriers to success in foreign language (FL) courses. Many institutions have responded by providing these students with exemptions or alternative courses. Although exemptions and alternatives are needed by some students with severe language difficulties, the literature is increasingly indicating that many of these students can successfully complete FL curricula. This is especially true when accommodations and specialized teaching methodologies are implemented in sections of FL courses designed specifically to meet the needs of students with LD. The purpose of this article is to describe FL course accommodations supported by existing literature and field-based experiences. The article also highlights the benefits of successful FL experiences for student with LD.