DYSLEXIA
ADVANCED
CERTIFICATE

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course

What qualifications do I need to do the course?
There are no qualifications, but you must have completed the Direct Learning Dyslexia Certificate course. No other qualifications are accepted as an alternative to this.

I have difficulties with spelling and writing myself. Will the course be too hard for me?
It is very unlikely that the course will be too hard for you. There are very few solid blocks of unbroken text in the course book. The course materials have been arranged to be visually accessible, with illustrations, photographs, charts, etc. on all the pages. Information is presented in short sections, with key words highlighted in 'text boxes' or 'bubbles'. As dyslexia often runs in families, a great effort has been made to create course materials which are accessible to students who may have some difficulties themselves with spelling and writing. Assignments have been designed to be within the capability of a dyslexic student to complete.

My son has some difficulties with spelling, but has never been diagnosed as dyslexic. Can I do the course, working with him on the Practical Route?
Yes. The child or teenager you work with does not have to be a diagnosed dyslexic. In fact, few children are diagnosed as dyslexic because of the pressures on schools. Any child who is struggling with schoolwork and needs some extra help to raise their level of achievement can take part in the Practical Exercises with you. You will learn a great deal more about your son's particular needs and difficulties during the course.

I want to do the course, but will I feel isolated working at a distance?
Whilst distance learning courses are very flexible, and can be taken if you live a long way from a university or dyslexia training center, it is recognized that you will be studying on your own. However, researchers have found that, with proper instructional design, distance courses actually can be more interactive than traditional ones, providing more personal and timely feedback to meet students’ needs than is possible in large, face-to-face courses.

To put you in contact with other students, we have an online Dyslexia Advanced Certificate Discussion Group forum. The Discussion Group is on our course website, and every student may take part. Questions are raised about points in the course, and students and staff discuss these issues. As students may be living in different time zones, the discussion is always available, and may be read and added to at any time. It is recommended that students visit the Discussion Group once a week, either to join in, or just to see what other students have been saying.

What happens if I am given a 'Repeat' grade for an Assignment?
If you are given a 'Repeat' grade, you will be given advice when you receive your grade about how to improve it to a 'Pass'. You may resubmit your Assignment as many times as necessary, but there will be a small charge if you submit it more than three times (which is very unlikely anyway).

I do not have a computer and cannot use the Internet easily. Can I still do the course?
You need Internet access to send in your assignments and join in the online Discussion group seminar on our website. If you do not have your own computer, you can use an Internet cafe or library once every week or two. You can set up a free email account at Yahoo. Unfortunately, your Assignments cannot be sent to us by mail/post.

I am interested in learning how to teach dyslexic children but there is not a child I can conveniently work with. Can I still do the course?
Yes, you can still do the course, following the Regular/Standard route, which does not involve working with a child. You will be able to do the Assignment which is given for each Module.

I am home-schooling my child. Will the course give me practical methods to use with him?
Yes. The course will be particularly useful for parents home-schooling their child.

I am a private tutor. Will the course allow me to specialize in teaching dyslexic children?
Yes. The methods and techniques you will learn can be applied to all dyslexic children and teenagers, and will also give you insight into how to help any dyslexic adults who also may come to you for help. After you have finished the Advanced Certificate course, it is recommended that you sign on for the free World of Dyslexia Newsletter, which will keep you up to date with all the latest research and teaching techniques.

Is the course a general course in how to teach a child to read and write?
No. The course is specifically focused on advanced learning needs for dyslexic children. There are certain barriers which prevent a dyslexic child from progressing in the normal way with their learning. The course focuses on these barriers and teaches students particular advanced techniques and methods which can help a dyslexic child overcome them. The advice given is not general but practical and precise, and what is learned in each section can be immediately used with a dyslexic child.

How can I use my qualification?
Your qualification as a holder of the Advanced Dyslexia Certificate in teaching dyslexic children may be used in job applications and in advertisements if you are a tutor. It is hoped that Advanced Certificate holders will share their skills with other parents and teachers, passing on the most appropriate teaching techniques for a dyslexic child. The course book contains an outline for a teachers' meeting which you may use at your own school or institution. The whole aim of the course is to spread the word about the best methods for teaching and supporting dyslexic children everywhere.

I am a teacher. Will I be able to advise other teachers about teaching dyslexic children when I have completed the course?

Yes. The course will give you an advanced understanding of the nature of dyslexia and how other teachers can adapt their teaching methods with dyslexic children or teenagers. There is a section on how to run a meeting for teachers on dyslexia.

What do I receive at the end of the course?
At the successful completion of the course all students will receive a certificate listing their qualification, along with an outline of the course Modules they have studied.

I am interested in doing the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course but I was wondering if it can be used as credit in university postgrad study? Do you know if this is possible?
As the course is international, we have not yet been able to establish university credit awards in any one particular country. However, it might be worth showing a print-out of the course outline to your tutor and asking if the course could be considered as contributing to your postgrad studies.

Do you offer a similar course for working with young adults aged 16-19?
The course is aimed primarily at children. However, the course will be taken by many teachers of the 16-19 age-range since a lot of the students' difficulties are similar, and many of the teaching techniques and learning strategies are also appropriate.

Does the course pack contain everything I need for the course?
Yes, except for a course text book which you need to purchase yourself. You will see a choice of text books on the course website when you register. You will be able to choose a text book which serves your own particular interests, but none of them are unusually expensive.

How much does the course cost?
We have tried to keep the costs of the course at an affordable level in order to allow as many people as possible to take part. The costs, which include registration, administrative, postal charges and course materials (apart from one text book), are to be found on our Fees page.

Will the course qualify me to assess children for dyslexia?
Unfortunately, neither the Dyslexia Certificate course nor the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course formally qualifies you to officially diagnose dyslexia. However, the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate has a whole Module on assessment (Module 4). This will give you sufficient training to be able to diagnose probable dyslexia in a child or teenager with a reasonable degree of confidence, but your diagnosis would need to be confirmed by a psychologist.

Upon completing and passing the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course, what career opportunities are available to me? Could I offer tutoring for dyslexic students? I homeschool my children, and have quite a bitof experience in teaching a dyslexic child, and would love to help other children struggling with this issue. I would love to become a certified testing specialist in this area as well.
The course would be very helpful with techniques and strategies for homeschooling your own child, but you would need to be a qualified teacher to be able to set up as a private tutor or tester in your area.