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Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 3, September 2024 Pp. 18-30
Department of English Language and Literature
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
Department of English Language and Literature
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
Department of English Language and Literature
Faculty of Languages and Communication
Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
This article examines the difficulties encountered by educators while instructing English as a second language reading comprehension to autistic individuals. Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by unique challenges in social communication and interaction, which also affect intellectual activities such as reading comprehension. The study is significant as it attempts to identify the critical factors for successful ESL reading comprehension instruction for autistic students. The study conducts an analysis of existing literature on the challenges faced by educators while teaching their autistic students. These challenges include communication, sensory processing, abstract thinking, and language structural deficiencies. The article also emphasises the presence of effective facilitators like a whole-school approach and immersion in research learning communities, which aid teachers in enhancing their students’ reading comprehension skills development. Teachers can utilize visual supports, scaffolding, and multisensory approaches to assist their students’ learning process. Implementing a whole-school management approach and team collaboration also fosters a supportive environment for developing teachers’ capabilities. Teachers can engage with current research and development through participation in structured opportunities such as research learning communities. The finding implies that enabling inclusive education demands an ongoing commitment to professional growth, emphasizing contextual learning and social practice-based learning.
Puteri Zarina, M.K., Kussin, H. J., & Zulkepli, N. (2024). Challenges and Facilitators in the Instruction of ESL Reading Comprehension to Autistic Students. Arab World English Journal, 15(3): 18-30.
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Dr. Puteri Zarina Megat Khalid is a senior lecturer currently attached to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia.
Among her research interests are TESL, discourse analysis, genre analysis, modality analysis, pragmatics, TVET,
English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and Systemic Functional Linguistics.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9296-8662
Haddi @ Junaidi Kussin is a lecturer from the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia. His research interests are language acquisition, language learning strategies and language policies, among many. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Language Policies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0103-8150
Dr. Noraini Zulkepli is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Communication, Sultan Idris Education
University (UPSI). Her research interests are in the areas of Applied Linguistics and Teacher Education.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0397-4957