Interactive seminars to help support dyslexic children

Published by Ross Macmillan for Livewire Public Relations in Education

Events:

• Wednesday 22^nd February 2012: ‘Engaging reluctant readers ’ - interactive seminar for primary school teachers and parents
• Thursday 23^rd February 2012: ‘Dyslexia: Learning Independently’ - interactive seminar for secondary school teachers and parents

 Time:              2:00-4:00pm

 Location:        Regus, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria, London. SW1W 0SR

Assistive technology specialist, Texthelp Systems (www.texthelp.com), is hosting two interactive seminars in London for parents and teachers in the area to find out more about dyslexia and how literacy support software can improve reading at home and in school. The events will take place on 22^nd and 23^rd February between 2pm and 4pm, with the first event designed for teachers and parents from primary schools and the second event for those from secondary schools.

Texthelp Systems is the world’s leading assistive technology provider. Its goal is to help all individuals overcome literacy difficulties by providing cutting-edge technology and advice to help them do so at home or in school.

The first event, ‘Engaging Reluctant Readers’, will offer parents, teachers and PTAs (Parent and Teacher Associations) of primary school children the chance to share ideas on reading strategies to assist struggling and disengaged/hesitant readers. Niall McLean, Principal from Castlewellan School, will speak about how he used Texthelp’s Fluency Tutor – an online solution that enables children to practise reading while assessing their progress - to engage reluctant readers in the school. This will be followed by a talk from Mandy Thompson of Harvue House entitled: ‘Building Their Potential: addressing hidden difficulties in gifted children and allowing struggling readers to reach their true potential’. Mandy will also chair a discussion on assessing reading fluency and strategies for assisting struggling readers. Further to this, there will be demonstrations of Texthelp’s Fluency Tutor software. Each school present will receive a complimentary subscription to Fluency Tutor for six months.

The second event, ‘Dyslexia: learning independently’, will provide parents and teachers of secondary school children with an opportunity to share ideas and best practice in order to bring out the best in a dyslexic child. Mandy Thompson from Harvue House will be delivering a talk entitled: ‘Building your potential: equipping teachers to bring out the best in their dyslexic pupils’ and Rob Bailey, Assistive Technology for Independent Learning (ATIL) Project Director and  Deputy Headmaster at Stanbridge Earls School, will talk about  ‘ATIL - Levelling the playing field through assistive technology’. Mandy will then be chairing a group discussion: ‘Making the classroom a more dyslexia friendly place’. There will also be a demonstration of Texthelp’s Read&Write GOLD text-to-speech literacy support software, designed to help children with specific learning or reading difficulties to improve their reading and writing skills. Each school will receive a complimentary single-user copy of Read&Write to award to a student of their choice for use at home!

Mark McCusker, CEO of Texthelp Systems, comments: “We are delighted to be hosting each of these events in London and welcome teachers and parents from the local community to register to come along and discuss the issues surrounding dyslexia in schools, the solutions that are available and the ways in which we can help to bring out the best in dyslexic learners.”

Attendance is free, however spaces are limited. Secure your place at this event by registering online at www.texthelp.com/UK/register, e-mailing r.adams@texthelp.com or calling 028 9442 8105 with your full contact details and any accessibility requirements.