Research / Research News / BUiD’s alumna and Professor co-author a research paper on teachers’ perspectives about the effectiveness of phonological awareness instruction for preschoolers with speech and language difficulties
Leah O’Neill, BUiD’s alumna and Dr. Emad Abu-Ayyash Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, co-authored a research paper titled, ‘A phenomenological study exploring teachers’ perspectives about the effectiveness of phonological awareness instruction for preschoolers with speech and language difficulties in International Journal of Early Years Education Journal.
Their study conducted with forty teachers working in private preschool settings in Dubai, UAE, were recruited. Following an initial survey to ascertain their knowledge about PA instruction, teachers participated in a 4-week online training programme to develop PA skills in preschool children with S&L difficulties. Post-intervention, 30% of the sample completed semi-structured interviews or a questionnaire. Thematic analysis was applied and involved a process of manual coding to construct and interpret themes about the perspectives of participants based on patterns that emerged from the data.
The research found that preschool teachers lack the knowledge and skills to effectively provide PA assessment and intervention for children with S&L deficits. They identified gaps in teacher training programmes and highlighted the value of collaborating with speech and language therapists (SLTs). Significant measures are warranted by policymakers and stakeholders to ensure that early educators are better equipped to improve literacy outcomes for children most at risk of persistent reading difficulties.
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