Communicating with students who have learning and behaviour difficulties: A continuing professional development programme

An audit of 200 students entering an inner city secondary school indicated that 75% had communication difficulties which hampered relationships, behaviour and learning. A course was designed for 35 teachers and support staff. The premise was that improving dialogue with students, and facilitating their narrative speaking and writing structures, ameliorate most learning and behaviour difficulties. Half of teachers and most support staff felt they lacked knowledge and skills in group communication and had limited understanding of specific difficulties in discourse. Analysis reveals a significant difference between knowledge and skill levels before and after the course for both teachers and support staff. Course satisfaction was high and maintained on retesting 2 months later. Observation of class practice suggested that new knowledge was being generalized in most cases. The project highlights the need for more emphasis on teacher and learner communication, especially for students who have learning and behaviour difficulties.