Training and teaching the interaction of meaning in English classes as foreign languages to students with special needs: A review study

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the process of teaching English as a foreign language to students with special needs (hearing impairment, visual impairment, autism spectrum, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disorder, speech and language impairment, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical and mobility impairment, and multiple disabilities). Method: The present descriptive-analytical study retrieved relevant studies dating from 1964 to 2017 available on Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database, and the Comprehensive Portal of Humanities using the secondary research method. Afterwards, the selected studies were reviewed, analyzed, and categorized. Results & Conclusion: There are specific strategies and methods of teaching English as a foreign language to each group of students with special needs. These include the application of the visual approach for teaching vocabulary (for students with hearing impairment); use of print or English Braille (for those with visual impairment); repetition of activities (for those with autism spectrum); application of the communicative approach, lexical approach, and total physical response (for those with intellectual disabilities); use of multisensory and phonics approaches (for those with specific learning disorder); incorporation of speech-language therapy techniques and adaptation of educational content (for those with language and communication difficulties); application of behavioral interventions in the classroom (for those with emotional and behavioral disorders); facilitation of access to educational equipment (for those with physical and mobility impairment); and focus on general communication and adaptive abilities (for those with multiple disabilities). The English teaching program in Iran should be compatible with the abilities of students with special needs. Therefore, it is necessary to modify and localize teaching materials and provide educational supports.