A Qualitative Analysis of the Language Learning Experiences of Students with Dyslexia

Objective: Although certain dimensions of foreign language learning in dyslexia have already been examined in the literature, no study has yet explored the language learning experiences of Iranian students with dyslexia, and parents’ views of the language learning experience of their children has also been neglected in the international literature despite its importance. The present study aimed to present a qualitative analysis of these experiences. Method: The present study is part of a larger project aiming to teach English as a foreign language using the multisensory phonics method to Iranian students with dyslexia. In this study, following the educational course, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine participants, including five students with dyslexia and four mothers, selected via convenience sampling. Interviews were transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed in MAXQDA 2018 using thematic analysis in order to extract emergent sub-themes which were eventually subsumed under 10 themes. Moreover, a systematized review was performed on articles published in scientific journals focusing on dyslexia and problems in learning a foreign language. Results and Conclusion: Results of the systematized review indicated that the most prominent problems faced by students with dyslexia learning a foreign language are issues with spelling, reading, grammar, and memorizing vocabulary. Furthermore, based on the analysis of interviews, students disliked their English learning experience at school, whereas both students and their mothers witnessed the efficiency of multisensory phonics instruction for English. Moreover, the mothers judged their mothering experience to be difficult since their mother-child relationship was occasionally strained. Finally, mismatches were observed between the students’ and mothers’ views in certain cases.