DYSLEXIA
CERTIFICATE
 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Dyslexia Certificate course

What qualifications do I need to do the course?
There are no qualifications, other than a wish to help a dyslexic child or teenager improve his or her learning skills and raise their level of achievement.

What is the difference between the Certificate and the Parents' courses?

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, because of the pressures on schools, few children are actually diagnosed as dyslexic. 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 set up an online Discussion Group. 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?
Yes. Students who do not have a computer at home should use a computer at a library, Internet cafe or a friend's computer to send in their assignments. A free email address may be set up at Hotmail or Yahoo if you do not have one already. Assignments are not accepted 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 choose one of the Regular Assignments which are given at the end of 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 certificate course, it is recommended that you take the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course so that you are fully qualified.

Is the course a general course in how to teach a child to read and write?
No. The course is specifically focused on the particular learning needs of dyslexic children. There are certain barriers which prevent a dyslexic child from progressing in the normal way with their learning. The Dyslexia Certificate course focuses on these barriers and teaches students particular 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 Certificate in Teaching Dyslexic Children may be used in job applications and in advertisements if you are a tutor. It is hoped that Dyslexia Certificate holders will share their skills with other parents and teachers, passing on the most appropriate teaching methods with a dyslexic child. 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 a full, professional understanding of the nature of dyslexia and how other teachers can adapt their teaching methods with dyslexic children or teenagers.

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.

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.

I am interested in doing the Dyslexia 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 Dyslexia Certificate course is aimed primarily at children. We do not know of any course which is targeted at the 16-19 age-group. However, the Dyslexia Certificate course has been 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 the course text book which you need to purchase yourself. There are details of how to buy a copy on the Students' Website. The text book costs about US$20 or £14.

Upon completing and passing the Dyslexia Certificate course, what career opportunities are available to me? Could I offer tutoring for dyslexic students? I homeschool my children, and have quite a bit 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 Dyslexia Certificate course would be very helpful with techniques and strategies for homeschooling your own child, but you would really need to be a qualified teacher to be able to set up as a private tutor or tester in your area.

Upon completing the Dyslexia Certificate course, what course could I do next?
The Dyslexia Certificate course will train you in the basic teaching methods you need to teach any dyslexic child or teenager. For more advanced techniques, you would follow on and take the Dyslexia Advanced Certificate course. This course gives you training in more subtle techniques, but the level of study is exactly the same as the Dyslexia Certificate course.