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| Students
with disability learning foreign languages: A student
with cerebral palsy learning French |
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ABSTRACT of Thesis by
Azzopardi Stephanie & Brincau Alexia
Students with cerebral palsy may have difficulties
developing language because they do not have adequate
control over their oral-motor muscles. This raises
challenges to educators on how they can be helped
to develop communication and, in such a bilingual
country like Malta, to what extent they should
be learning second and foreign languages. The aim
of this dissertation was to describe these challenges
as they are faced by a secondary school student
with severe cerebral palsy learning a foreign language.
A case study approach was adopted. The participant
was a 14-year-old Form 3 student in a mainstream
secondary school (Junior Lyceum). The focus of
the study were the lessons of French, though
the study also included an attempt to understand
the whole context of inclusion within which this
particular student was offered this option. Interviews
were held with the girl’s parents, the
school headteacher, teachers and facilitators.
All data was subjected to qualitative analysis.
The study found that this student’s inclusion
was possible because of the commitment first
of all of the parents and then, that of the headmistress
and the rest of the staff as well as the support
of the girl’s peers. The study outlined
important issues involved in the learning and
participation of students with impairment within
an inclusive setting.
B.Ed.(Hons)
Keywords:
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