Specific Learning Difficulties

Introduction to the SLD Struggle

This page is dedicated to a cause very close to the teacher’s heart: the ongoing lack of recognition by major language certification bodies of the real challenges faced by individuals with Specific Learning Difficulties (SLD), such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia.

Unfortunately, no language certifier has yet kept pace with modern understanding of these conditions. No official body currently accepts or promotes the use of accessible fonts—such as those designed specifically for dyslexic readers—that could significantly improve the chances of students with SLD having their English language skills properly assessed and acknowledged worldwide.

So far, advocacy from concerned associations has largely been ignored—not only by certifying bodies, but also by major online platforms like Google and Microsoft, whose cloud-based systems still do not fully support dyslexia-friendly fonts.

What Can We Do Together for Your Exams?

Through a fortunate pattern, I’ve taught SLD students every year since the beginning of my teaching career. This has given me the opportunity to develop and refine my methods, creating exercises that focus on language skills without relying heavily on writing.

While certification bodies still fall short in accommodating SLD students, we can still:
⚡Teach strategies to answer certain exam questions without needing to read the entire text.

⚡Offer guidance for working more effectively with standard fonts like Arial—minimizing re-reading and saving time during tests.