Secondary teachers' understandings of dyslexia in England and Greece

Papalouka, Aikaterini (2011) Secondary teachers' understandings of dyslexia in England and Greece. PhD thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

This is a comparative study about secondary teachers’ understandings of dyslexia in England and Greece. Specifically the study focused on English and Greek teachers’ professional training related to dyslexia, the influence of politics and cultural context, the history of dyslexia in England and Greece, the different definitions (meanings) of dyslexia and the legislation related to dyslexia. The main goals of the study were to find out how dyslexia is conceptualised in the Greek and English educational systems and the implications of these understandings for training and professional development in both countries. The sample consisted of ten teachers of secondary schools (five English and five Greek) who had experience of dyslexic students in their classrooms. An illuminative approach was used to compile and explore these two fields, teachers and dyslexia in England and Greece. Narrative analyses were undertaken culminating in individual portraits and an analysis of the role of the teacher in both countries, the influence of the educational system and the social and cultural habits and outcomes.

The findings showed that English and Greek teachers had similarities and differences in their understanding about dyslexia. However, they had more similarities than differences, even if they were educated, trained and worked in two different educational systems. Both English and Greek secondary teachers were feeling unprepared to define, diagnose and support dyslexic students in their classroom, as both lacked power, autonomy and a clear picture of their role in relation to supporting students with learning difficulties.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (PhD)
Supervisors: Hall, C.J.
Keywords: Dyslexic children, education, England, Greece, high school teachers, in-service training
Subjects: L Education > LC Special aspects of education
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Social Sciences, Law and Education > School of Education
Item ID: 12304
Depositing User: EP, Services
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2012 11:37
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2017 19:34
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/12304

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