Language comprehension is fundamental to academic success, particularly when it comes to writing. Students who struggle in this area not only struggle with comprehending language, but also with language expression. This is one reason writing can be such a challenge for them.
Not only are these students struggling to understand what they read and hear, but they also struggle expressing their thoughts and ideas. It is particularly difficult for students to develop strong language expression skills when they do not understand language well enough to use what they read and hear as a model for their own expression.
WritingKey™'s solution is two-pronged: it emphasizes front-end planning for what students want to say, and it builds incrementally from basic to complex language expression.
First, the WritingKey™ program teaches students that writing becomes much easier when certain work has been done on the front-end.
When this work has been completed, the actual step of putting the words down on paper in the form of sentences is one of the easiest aspects of the process.
It is when this front-end work has been neglected that students can find themselves sitting in front of a blank sheet of paper, not knowing where to even begin.
Second, the WritingKey™ program begins with the absolute basics of written expression.
The program first has students master the ability to write short, but grammatically correct, sentences, and then builds on that skill to form more complex, mature language in their writing.
It is perfect for students who struggle with language comprehension.
Plan & Organize
Front-end preparation work
Write Simply
Start with basic sentences
Build Complexity
Gradually advance skills
Despite this, understanding and using language can be a significant challenge for many students. More often than not, language comprehension difficulties are a by-product of another learning difference, thus making it difficult to combat.
Nearly all other learning differences students can be diagnosed with lead to difficulties with language comprehension.
Dyslexia
Students struggle with decoding, leading them to focus less of their mental capacities on comprehending what they are reading.
ADD/ADHD
Students struggle with maintaining their attention on external focal points long enough to have gathered all there was to read or hear.
Regardless of the specific diagnosis, difficulties with language comprehension can accompany them all, and these difficulties can have a direct impact on written expression.
Decoding challenges
Attention difficulties
Organization challenges
Language Comprehension
Impact on expression & writing
Not Always Taught
Specific strategies for comprehension are rarely explicitly taught
Expected Mastery
Students are expected to simply "have" comprehension skills
Goes Unnoticed
Difficulties often remain undiagnosed and unsupported
Result: More students struggle than professionals realize
Often Overlooked
It is not only students with learning differences who struggle with language comprehension. Difficulties in this area of academics can often go unnoticed, and as a result, undiagnosed.
Specific strategies for how to comprehend language are not always taught, thus allowing students who are not otherwise diagnosed with learning differences to also struggle in this area. Often, assignments require students to comprehend what they have read, but rarely offer students the tools necessary to understand "how" to comprehend language.
It is simply a skill that is rarely taught, but instead is one students are simply expected to have mastery of.
Because of this, there are often far more students who struggle with language comprehension than professionals realize.
A comprehensive approach designed to support students who struggle with understanding and expressing language.
Turns the writing process into short, achievable steps so students never feel overwhelmed.
Provides clear, repeatable frameworks that free up working memory and help students organize their thoughts.
Short, targeted lessons are more engaging for students who struggle with sustaining attention, reducing procrastination.
Gives students a clear path to follow, reducing anxiety and boosting their belief in their own abilities.
Teaches practical methods for brainstorming, structuring paragraphs, and refining ideas so students can tackle writing systematically.
Guides students through a streamlined process to check their work for errors, reducing frustration and improving final results.
By applying the same core strategies to various types of writing, students see ongoing, measurable improvement over time.
Answers to your most common questions about language comprehension and writing support.
Give your student the structured support they need to build strong language expression skills with WritingKey™.
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