This interpretive study aims to investigate the difficulties in English academic writing as perceived by Saudi postgraduate students and their English supervisors in an English-speaking country. In accordance with the exploratory nature of the methodological approach adopted in this study, the research design of the current study employs a sequential mixed-methods design. The quantitative phase is represented by the questionnaire whereas semi-structured interviews and document analysis constitute the qualitative phase. From the sample, 275 students were asked to fill in the prepared questionnaire whilst 15 students, of both genders, and 9 supervisors were asked to participate in an interview. Ten samples of students’ written feedback from their supervisors were provided. Data were analysed quantitatively using SPSS descriptive statistics and qualitatively using MAXQDA software. The findings of the current study revealed that Saudi postgraduate students face the following difficulties in their English academic writing: not having sufficient academic vocabulary, avoiding plagiarism, using cohesive devices properly, constructing logical arguments, making coherent links between ideas, and demonstrating critical thinking in their academic writing. Furthermore, the current study highlighted that the difficulties could be attributed to a number of factors, including those related to learners, context, and instruction. Several strategies were proposed that could assist Saudi students in improving their academic writing. Additionally, the lack of academic preparation in the KSA had a negative influence on the proficiency of Saudi postgraduate students in their English academic writing, resulting in disparities between the expectations placed on students in their postgraduate studies in the UK and the actual results achieved by Saudi students. The findings also revealed that EAP courses in the UK often aided students in learning writing techniques; however, these courses have certain limitations. According to the findings of the current study, a theoretical model is suggested to help Saudi postgraduate students in their English academic writing. Based on the study findings, implications are drawn for policy makers and for practice in the education system in Saudi Arabia. Finally, suggestions for further research are provided.

Denna studie handlar om några gymnasielärares uppfattningar om integrerade elever som har en dokumenterad autismspektrumtillstånd samt läs-och skrivproblematik. Studien har en kvalitativ utgångspunkt och undersökningen är baserad på halvstrukturerade intervjuer med fyra pedagoger som arbetar på olika gymnasier i södra Sverige. Resultatet visar att många av dessa elever klarar sig relativt bra när de får hjälp genom olika anpassningar som görs i klassrummet. De anpassningar som hjälper mest är klara och tydliga instruktioner för dessa elever, samt när pedagogen ger mycket stöd i form av exempelvis genrepedagogik. Däremot så upplever pedagogerna ibland att eleverna utnyttjar sin diagnos för att undvika skolarbete, vilket kan vara ett missförstånd då denna elevgrupp ofta tar till undvikande strategier som är en del av sitt funktionshinder. Exempelvis så störs vissa elever med autismspektrumtillstånd enormt mycket av olika ljud, så kallad sensorisk överkänslighet, och som ett resultat så vill de sitta avskilt när det gäller att läsa. Likaså så upplever pedagogerna att dessa elever återgår till sin tidigare lägre nivå efter det att anpassningen eller hjälpen upphört. / This study deals with a number of upper secondary school teachers' perceptions of integrated students who have a proven autism spectrum disorder, as well as reading and writing difficul- ties. The research has a qualitative perspective and the study is based on semi-structured in- terviews with four teachers working in different upper secondary schools in the southern part of Sweden. The result shows that many of these students manage relatively well when they get help through various adjustments made in the classroom. The adaptations that help the most are clear instructions for these students, and when the teacher provides support in the form of, for example genre pedagogy. However, the teachers sometimes feel that students utilize their diagnosis to avoid schoolwork, which may be a misunderstanding when this group of students often resort to avoidance strategies that are part of their disability. For ex- ample, some of these students with autism spectrum disorder are made unsettled by different sounds, so-called sensory hypersensitivity, and as a result they want to sit separately when it comes to reading. Another experience the teachers have is that these students often return to their previous lower level after the adjustment, or aid, cease to be provided.

This study was aimed to examine what happened when a municipality in Sweden invested in ICT. The purpose of this study was also to find out how the change of process with ICT investment was expressed the need for more knowledge. This was called “one-to-one” with the goal that all students would have their own computer during their years in school.Teachers have been interviewed and observed about how they work with ipads during reading and writing lessons. The teachers in this study said that they need more knowledge to improve their everyday work with ipads. They see many positive developments in students’ acquisition of knowledge. The intention was also to study how the teachers work with writing and reading for students at risk of future disabilities. Research that was presented in this study said that efforts and work to help students with reading and writing difficulties should start early and be done in a structured way to help students connect phoneme and grapheme to create alinguistic awareness.

The purpose of the study was to examine a selection of teachers’ experiences of working with adaptation and support for students with reading and writing difficulties. Adaptation and support should be immediately addressed to students with reading and writing difficulties according to the Swedish Agency for Education (2017). The Adaptations and support fields are lesser researched areas of reading and writing difficulties. This study is based on interviews with six teachers and the teachers were interviewed with semi-structured interviews. This study has a gender perspective and is based on gender as an active process that is constantly changing. Even hidden assumptions guiding gender is constantly affecting thoughts and reasons. Hardings (1986) gender model with three continuing processes in symbolic, structure and individual levels was used to analyse the study.   The results show that the most common ways of paying attention to students in need of adaptations and support for reading and writing difficulties are when the teacher listens when the student reads high through different screenings. The teachers say they notice boys and girls equally. Intensive training of the students reading ability and the usage of compensatory aids are the most common adaptations and support methods. Difficulties for boys tend to follow them through the school years despite adaptations and support. The results from the study show that boys more often than girls have problem with concentration, attention and motivation in combination with reading and writing difficulties. The teachers in the study describe girls as diligent and boys as immature and sloppy. According to the teachers the boys also experience poorer child support. The analysis shows that at the symbolic level there are differences in the characteristics of boys and girls attributed to the teachers and on individual level there are writing and motivational differences between boys and girls. Boys are described to have less motivation and writing skills compared to girls. Girls are described to be vivid book readers whilst boys are thought of as non-readers. Support from colleagues and special education teachers are emphasised by all of the teachers so they can provide the best possible read and writing development support.

Thesis (M. Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study reflects on the teaching strategies that that teachers use to improve reading and writing in English FAL in the Acornhoek area of Mpumalanga Province. Since the study wanted to have an in-depth understanding of the strategies that teachers use to improve reading and writing, a qualitative methodology was used. It is within this methodology that a case study was adopted whereby three methods of data collection were used, namely: interviewing, observation and documents. Two schools were selected as sites for the study by means of purposive sampling. The participants interviewed included teachers and learners. The documents consulted included learners class work books, assignments and tests scripts. The researcher also observed lessons that were presented by the teachers. This study found that learners have difficulties in reading and writing, for example, they cannot punctuate, pronounce and spell words correctly. Furthermore, the study also found that teachers were not trained to deal with reading and writing difficulties. This is manifested by the strategies that they use to improve reading and writing, for example, lack of use of repetition which they claimed to use during interviews. KEY WORDS Reading, Writing, Difficulties, Strategies, Constraints, Improve

The purpose of this degree project is to address the issue of dyslexia in the language classroom. It explores how teachers understand, address and work with dyslexia in relation to assessment and examination. The research has been based on qualitative interviews conducted with three working teachers: two English teachers and one Swedish teacher who is specialized in special aid teaching. Along with a theoretical background regarding useful research, relevant terms and definitions used in the discussion concerning dyslexia, the research establishes that interviewed teachers understand what working with dyslexic learners entails. However, there is lack of insight into Skolverket (The National Agency for Education) and the actual recommended procedures when assessing and examining dyslexic learners. This research highlights the importance of giving educators the tools and strategies needed to support dyslexic students in the examination situation and how to fairly assess these students.Keywords: Dyslexia, assessment, examination, reading and writing difficulties.

<p>In this essay, I will look at three different Compulsory comprehensive schools in one community and I will compare final grades from students who graduated in spring 2006. I will also examine how the three schools work with students, and in what way they approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties, so that they could reach goals set by The Swedish National Agency for Education. The aim with this essay is to show differences between schools in the same community and my question is if it is the way you approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties that affects the student’s grades and results.</p><p>The study is concentrating on three schools in one community and students with dyslexia and reading- and writing difficulties that went to those schools. I have spoken to remedial teacher at each school about how they approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties, what kind of methods the use, how they investigate if a student is in need of special help and how they grade their students who are in need of special teaching because of their learning disabilities. This essay will also present different ways of defining dyslexia and how to approach the pedagogic difficulties that will appear in situations where students with reading- and writing difficulties gets exposed and are in need of special education or help.</p><p>The results of this study can only be connected to those schools that have been studied for this exam. The results can not in any way be generalising for all schools in Sweden. However did the study results show that students that went to school 2 reached higher goals than students that went to school 1 or 3. The study also shows that these schools use different ways to work with students with dyslexia and reading- and writing difficulties. But to compare numbers and grades can’t give a fair picture of how each school work with each student so that they develop those skills and knowledge that is seen as necessary to become a democratic member of the society. Because numbers and grades cant tell anything about the student’s disabilities or what kind of knowledge or skills the student is in possession of. Nevertheless can this study when comparing grades, in the most general way, say that students that go to school 2 are more likely to reach goals that are set by The Swedish National Agency for Education.</p>

In this essay, I will look at three different Compulsory comprehensive schools in one community and I will compare final grades from students who graduated in spring 2006. I will also examine how the three schools work with students, and in what way they approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties, so that they could reach goals set by The Swedish National Agency for Education. The aim with this essay is to show differences between schools in the same community and my question is if it is the way you approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties that affects the student’s grades and results. The study is concentrating on three schools in one community and students with dyslexia and reading- and writing difficulties that went to those schools. I have spoken to remedial teacher at each school about how they approach students with dyslexia/reading- and writing difficulties, what kind of methods the use, how they investigate if a student is in need of special help and how they grade their students who are in need of special teaching because of their learning disabilities. This essay will also present different ways of defining dyslexia and how to approach the pedagogic difficulties that will appear in situations where students with reading- and writing difficulties gets exposed and are in need of special education or help. The results of this study can only be connected to those schools that have been studied for this exam. The results can not in any way be generalising for all schools in Sweden. However did the study results show that students that went to school 2 reached higher goals than students that went to school 1 or 3. The study also shows that these schools use different ways to work with students with dyslexia and reading- and writing difficulties. But to compare numbers and grades can’t give a fair picture of how each school work with each student so that they develop those skills and knowledge that is seen as necessary to become a democratic member of the society. Because numbers and grades cant tell anything about the student’s disabilities or what kind of knowledge or skills the student is in possession of. Nevertheless can this study when comparing grades, in the most general way, say that students that go to school 2 are more likely to reach goals that are set by The Swedish National Agency for Education.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of the teacher's approach to writing instruction and their view of fine motor development and fine motor difficulties for students in grades 1-3. By comparing a selection of teachers’ approaches to writing tuition and fine motor skills, with previous research it expects to gain a deeper understanding of the objective. In the study, qualitative semi-structured interviews and participant observation was used as a method. These interviews and observations were made with seven active Swedish teachers in grades 1-3. This gives an insight into teachers' views on fine motor skills and education, as well as how they see the adjustment of the writing instruction to students with fine motor difficulties. The results show that most of the teachers who participated in the study linked fine motor difficulties to the way students holding a pencil, as well as how they shape the letters. Most of the teachers say that they don´t practice fine motor exercises in the classroom, although the results shows that often it is done unconsciously. The first letter of the learning takes place mostly from a formal perspective. In most cases, when the first letter of the learning process is complete, the writing instruction, to some extent, starts from a functional perspective. / Sammanfattning Syftet med denna studie är att få en fördjupad förståelse för lärares förhållningssätt till skrivundervisning och deras syn på finmotorisk utveckling och finmotoriska svårigheter hos elever i årskurs 1-3. Genom att jämföra ett urval lärares förhållningssätt till skrivundervisning och finmotorik samt att jämföra detta med tidigare forskning förväntas en fördjupad förståelse för syftet att införskaffas. I studien har kvalitativa semistrukturerade intervjuer och deltagande observationer använts som metod. Dessa intervjuer samt observationer har skett med sju verksamma svensklärare i årskurs 1-3. Detta ger en inblick i lärarnas syn på finmotorik och skrivundervisning samt hur de ser på anpassning av skrivundervisning till elever med finmotoriska svårigheter. Resultatet visar att de flesta lärare som medverkat i studien kopplar finmotoriska svårigheter till hur eleverna håller i en penna och hur de formar bokstäver. Några uttalade finmotoriska övningar sker inte i klassrummet, ändå sker dessa övningar många gånger, men då omedvetet. Den första bokstavsinlärningen visar sig till största del ske utifrån ett formellt perspektiv. När den första bokstavsinlärningen är färdig så övergår skrivundervisningen, i de flesta fall, även med utgångspunkt ur ett funktionellt perspektiv.

<p>The aim of this essay is to examine how students in 6-9 grade with reading and writing difficulties are treated and supported by teachers and staff at Ideskolan, a community school north of Stockholm. I have chosen to answer the following question:</p><p>- How does Ideskolan cope with and support students with reading and writing difficulties</p><p>This has in turn generated the following questions:</p><p>- How is special education organized at Ideskolan?</p><p>- Is a diagnose always needed in order to deploy extra support?</p><p>The method I have employed is observation while participating, together with informal talks and interviews. I have visited Ideskolan twice, one week at the time. The material that the visits have generated is the foundation of the essay, supported by previous research in the field.</p><p>The essay clarifies what right to special support students have according to law, regulations, curriculum and teaching plans and what they look like in reality at Ideskolan. This paper questions why schools focus on the individual student in these matters instead on the schools organisation and way of working. It might not automatically be the students’ difficulties with reading and writing that limits their continued learning, but rather the schools attitude towards students with special needs. Some ways of working might minimize the difficulties while some can increase them. If so, perhaps a change is in order?</p><p>The essay also discusses the role of the special teacher – should she be supporting the students or her colleagues, or both. It also discusses if the teacher training should evolve to better suite the need to handle students with reading and writing difficulties.</p><p>Even though Ideskolan recognizes the fact that two – three students in each class suffers with reading and writing difficulties the support to these students are inadequate. The school can excuse it self by saying that there is no “right way to go”, for each student with reading and writing difficulties are unique and there for require different support.</p>