Attention to students with learning difficulties. A Program for english language teachers’ trainees

Abstract

Attention to students with learning difficulties who study English requires a foreign language teacher prepared with necessary resources and support. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of a subject program in the curriculum of the Bachelor of Education in Foreign Languages, English, in the undergraduate training process of these teachers for the attention of primary pupils with Learning Difficulties who study English. A mixed, experimental type of design was used, from the emerging dialectical-materialist paradigm. The subject program of 22 class hours was taught in face-to-face mode. A non-probabilistic intentional sample was used, made up of 31 pupils to whom the program was applied, 8 teachers and 7 directives. The data was collected through pre-test and post-test interviews and surveys, processed through the methodological triangulation. The application of the t-Student test showed statistically significant differences in the sample after applying the program (Zp=18.0545 ≥ Z=2.457), which demonstrated its effectiveness. The findings reveal the adequate undergraduate training provided to the English teacher is related to the increase of knowledge, skills and positive attitudes towards the attention of these pupils. It is concluded that the design of future subject programs for the undergraduate training of these professionals should promote the use of the academic, labor and research components for these purposes.