Doctoral Research Forum - Suaad Al Naabi - Pedagogies for teaching English as a Foreign Language to learners with Visual Impairments in Oman

Pedagogies for teaching English as a Foreign Language to learners with Visual Impairments in Oman

Unprecedented awareness of the needs of learners with disabilities has been witnessed during the last few years. This appeared more clearly in the policies which many countries adopted towards the inclusion of learners with special educational needs (SEN), including those with visual impairments (VI), into mainstream schools. However, the endeavor has often been thorny. One of the obstacles facing educators and practitioners in this respect is related to decisions about what consists inclusive pedagogy. In an EFL classroom, the attempt is even more complex and problematic. Thus, the current study was designed to investigate the pedagogic practices of EFL teachers of learners with VI in Oman. In addition, this interpretivist study attempted to explore the views of the EFL teachers and their learners with VI about the pedagogies used. Following a case study design, the researcher employed open observations and stimulated recall semi-structured interviews as data collection methods. Thematic analysis of data resulted in a number of findings. Among these were the views about VI, psychological tools and group dynamics. The study offers various recommendations for further research and practice.

About the Speaker

Suaad Alnaabi is an EFL teacher at Omar bin Alkhattab Institute for learners with Visual Impairment. She also had the experience of  teaching EFL to female learners in different mainstream schools in Oman. She obtained  her MA in Translation from Sultan Qaboos University.