A Diagnostic Study of the Dyslexion Factor in Urdu Language at Early Classes in Public Schools of South Punjab

Authors

  • Samina Bashir Punjab Schools Education DepartmentUniversity of Education, Lahore,Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21015/vtess.v12i1.1652

Abstract

Dyslexia, a specific learning disability, exerts profound effects on language acquisition and educational attainment. This study delves into the underexplored domain of dyslexia within the context of the Urdu language, as encountered by students in public schools of South Punjab, Pakistan. Employing a comprehensive battery of standardized tasks and tests, the study diagnoses the presence of dyslexia and assesses its impact on the reading and writing processes. The findings reveal a spectrum of dyslexic characteristics among students, as evidenced by challenges in phonological awareness, letter-sound recognition, rapid automatized naming, and comprehension. Dyslexia significantly affects their ability to decode unfamiliar words and comprehend text. Concurrent qualitative interviews shed light on the diverse attitudes and reactions of students toward dyslexia, from determination to anxiety. This study's results underscore the necessity for tailored interventions, early screening, and teacher training to support students with dyslexia in mastering the Urdu language. By focusing on both the diagnosis of dyslexia and its implications for language learning, the study hopes to contribute to more inclusive and effective education in South Punjab's public schools.



The findings reveal a spectrum of dyslexic characteristics among students, as evidenced by challenges in phonological awareness, letter-sound recognition, rapid automatized naming, and comprehension. Dyslexia significantly affects their ability to decode unfamiliar words and comprehend text. Concurrent qualitative interviews shed light on the diverse attitudes and reactions of students toward dyslexia, from determination to anxiety.

This study's results underscore the necessity for tailored interventions, early screening, and teacher training to support students with dyslexia in mastering the Urdu language. By focusing on both the diagnosis of dyslexia and its implications for language learning, the study hopes to contribute to more inclusive and effective education in South Punjab's public schools.

Keywords: Dyslexia, Urdu Language, Public Schools, South Punjab, Language Learning, Standardized Tasks, Reading, Writing

 

Author Biography

Samina Bashir, Punjab Schools Education DepartmentUniversity of Education, Lahore,Pakistan

Samina Bashir is an M.Phil scholar of applied linguistics. She has been serving as a secondary school teacher in the Punjab Schools Education Department since 2012. She has also been serving as a visiting faculty member of the Department of English at the University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan, since 2018. Besides the above-mentioned careers, she is working as a Master Trainer of English Language Pedagogy with a line institute of her own department. Samina has a rich and diverse professional background, having previously worked with Save the Children International and UNICEF in various roles within the development sector. She has also authored numerous articles on topics related to applied linguistics, which have been published in prestigious academic journals. Apart from her academic pursuits, Samina is a talented freelance writer who contributes regularly to various online forums. Her writing skills and expertise allow her to offer unique and insightful perspectives on a wide range of topics.

 

References

Ackerman, P. T. & Dykman, R. A. (1996). The speed factor and learning disabilities: The toll of slowness in adolescents. Dyslexia: An International Journal of Research and Practice, 2 (1), 1-21

Ayub, A., M. Yaqoob, S. B., & Khan, S. S. (2021). Reading Difficulties in Urdu Reading: A Case Study of Baloch Students. Journal of Education & Humanities Research (JEHR), 9(1), 20-27.

Ashraf, H. (2023). The ambivalent role of Urdu and English in multilingual Pakistan: a Bourdieusian study. Language policy, 22(1), 25-48.

Baqir, F. (Ed.). (2023). Civil Society and Pakistan's Economy: Robber Barons and Meritocracy. Taylor & Francis.

Wiedeman, A.J, (2002). Designing language teaching on becoming a reflective professional. Pretoria: BE at UP Warwick,

Haidry, S. (2021). Assessing Dyslexia in young Urdu speaking children. University of Groningen.

Ahmed, S. I. (2011). Issue of medium of instruction in Pakistan. International journal of social sciences and education, 1(1), 66-82.

Ashraf, M. & Majeed, S. (2011). Prevalence of dyslexia in secondary school students in Lahore. Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research, 26 (1), 73-85.

Farukh, A., & Vulchanova, M. (2014). Predictors of reading in Urdu: Does deep orthography have an impact? Dyslexia (Chichester, England), 20(2), 146–166.

Farukh, A., & Vulchanova, M. (2014). Predictors of reading in Urdu: Does deep orthography have an impact? Dyslexia: An International Journal of Research and Practice, 20(2), 146–166. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1474

Forlin, C. (2013). Changing paradigms and future directions for implementing inclusive education in developing countries. Asian Journal of Inclusive Education, 1(2), 19–31.

Forlin, C. (2012). Future directions for inclusive teacher education: An international perspective. Routledge.

Gillingham, A. & Stillman, B. (1960) Remedial training for children with specific disabilities in reading, writing and penmanship. Cambridge, MA., Educators Publishing.

Ganschow, L., Sparks, R. and Schneider, E. (1995) ‘Learning a foreign language: Challenges for students with language learning difficulties’. Dyslexia: International Journal of Research and Practice, 1(2), 75-95.

Haidry, S. (2013). Developing a teacher-rating screening tool in English, Urdu and Sindhi languages for dyslexic children of ages 5-11 years based in Karachi, Pakistan. Unpublished Master’s thesis. University of Groningen.

Irshad, E. (2005). Specific learning difficulties: Diagnosis and implication for social psychological functioning (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Imran, R. (2023). Work-Family Responsibilities and Support for Women Academics in Pakistan (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Waikato).

Iqbal, B., & Bashir, I. (2021). An analysis of the relationship between English and Urdu reading skills of secondary school students in Multan. Competitive Education Research Journal (CERJ), 2(1), 13-25.

Kormos, J. (2017a). The second language learning processes of students with specific learning difficulties. Routledge.

Kormos, J. (2017b). The effects of specific learning difficulties on processes of multilingual language development. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 37, 1–15. http://doi.org/10.1017/S026719051700006X

Kormos, J., & Nijakowska, J. (2017). Inclusive practices in teaching students with dyslexia: Second language teachers concerns, attitudes and self‐efficacy beliefs on a massive open online learning course. Teaching and Teacher Education, 68, 30–41. http://doi.org/10.1016/j. tate.2017.08.005

Mehmood, S., Rashid, H., & Mukhtar, M. (2024). Perceptions of teachers towards Urdu language in private primary schools in Rawalakot. International Journal of Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences, 3(1), 182-191. ISSN (E) 2959-2461; ISSN (P) 2959-3808.

Miles, T.R. (1999). Dyslexia a hundred years on. Philadelphia: Open University Press.

Wolf, M., Gotlieb, R. J., Kim, S. A., Pedroza, V., Rhinehart, L. V., Tempini, M. L. G., & Sears, S. (2024). Towards a dynamic, comprehensive conceptualization of dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 1-22.

Downloads

Published

2024-03-03

How to Cite

Bashir, S. (2024). A Diagnostic Study of the Dyslexion Factor in Urdu Language at Early Classes in Public Schools of South Punjab. VFAST Transactions on Education and Social Sciences, 12(1), 01–08. https://doi.org/10.21015/vtess.v12i1.1652