Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences (SpLD)

Course details

For the award of the Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, students have to complete 6 modules. The Specialist Diploma is delivered on weekday evenings and/or Saturdays, twice a week with a total of 130 contact hours for the entire diploma.

Course Outline

• Module 1: Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching (42 hours): This first module aims to introduce students to dyslexia and language acquisition deficiencies. Content includes understanding the structure of the English language, phonics knowledge and application, oral support and reading fluency, conceptual teaching and planning, and lesson planning and delivery.
• Module 2: Educational Psychology (15 hours): This module focuses on how humans learn in educational settings and the psychology of teaching. Specific theories taught include Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Albert Bandura's social cognitive theory, and constructivism.
• Module 3: Advanced Dyslexia and Literacy Teaching (21 hours): Building on the content from Module 1, this module looks into higher order skills beyond the phonics elements and includes: morphology, reading comprehension, grammar, writing, behaviour management, additional programmes and tools, study skills and assistive technologies.
• Module 4: Dyscalculia and Numeracy Teaching (15 hours: This module aims to enable students to understand and support learners who have difficulties in learning mathematics. Content includes understanding dyscalculia, learning differences relating to mathematics, identifying and assessing individual needs, and techniques to support learners.
• Module 5: Understanding Speech and Language Impairment (12 hours): This module aims to enable students to understand learners with Speech and Language impairment. Areas covered include assessment, intervention, case studies and individual targets, and strategies for lesson planning.
• Module 6: Specific Learning Differences in Practice: Students will be guided to produce a project which will consist of 10 complete classroom lesson plans (related to higher order skills/ non-literacy) to teach pupils with specific learning differences.