Dyslexia Smart Schools
Janet’s problem
There’s a couple of these students in almost every class.
Janet has been teaching English for 10 years. She loves it. But it seems that, in almost every class she has a student (or several of them) who can’t be bothered.
Like this boy in her intermediate class, who doesn’t pay attention, spends the hour staring out of the window, or interrupting his classmates, forgets everything from one class to the next, and just can’t follow the most simple instructions. But…if it’s about basketball, he’s fully engaged.
Basically, he can speak English if he wants to.
But Janet doesn’t know what to do with him.
Now, what Janet doesn’t know is that this student belongs to the 15-20% of neurodiverse students in your school.
And the poor boy doesn’t know it himself either. Over 70% of dyslexic and ADHD students go through education without ever being diagnosed.
They are the “lazy ones”, the “disruptive” students, and the “uninterested”.
How many of these students do you have in your school?
Let’s change this!
Let’s do something about this. Let’s change the narrative and start recognizing that these students learn and process information in a different way. Let’s turn a problem into an opportunity and help the “lazy”, “uninterested” and “disruptive” students become engaged and thrive in language learning. And let’s attract new students to your school and your courses. Let’s enter into a new student market of 15-20% of the population.
Let’s transform your school into a Dyslexia-Smart School.
Did you know that?
Did you know that 15-20% of the population has a neurodiverse brain (dyslexia, ADHD, autism) ? This is almost 1 out of every 5 students.
And these students have 3 major problems:
- The vast majority of neurodiverse students are undiagnosed
- Teachers don’t know how to teach them effectively
- Learning English is huge battle (at least when it’s done in the traditional way)
But hey, I don’t blame your teachers. And I also don’t blame you.
Your teachers have been trained to teach the other 80%. That’s what our educational system is made for.
What if?
But what if I told you that you and your teachers can:
- learn how to recognize dyslexia, ADHD, and other neurodivergence in your students
- acquire strategies to effectively teach neurodiverse students
- learn how to adapt and make new material that works better for your neurodiverse students
- motivate these students and communicate effectively with their parents
- open up your school to a new market and attract many new students to your courses
Wouldn’t that be great?
Here it is!
This is exactly what we are doing in the Dyslexia Smart Schools program.
Over 8 weeks, your teachers will become unicorns and you and your admin/marketing staff will become heroes.
HOW?
TEACHERS
Your teachers will join the Dyslexia Smart Teacher program, which is a hybrid online course with a balanced mix of videos, texts, and quizzes as well as 3 live sessions.
The Dyslexia Smart Teacher program has 6 modules:
- Week 1 – Module 1: Understanding and recognizing dyslexia & ADHD in language learning
- Week 2 – Live Session 1
- Week 3 – Module 2: Dyslexia and ADHD-friendly teaching strategies
- Week 4 – Module 3: Adapting and creating dyslexia and ADHD-friendly material
- Week 5 – Live Session 2
- Week 6 – Module 4: Self-Esteem and Emotional Intelligence: motivating your students with dyslexia and ADHD
- Week 7 – Module 5: Effective communication around dyslexia and ADHD (with parents, students, peers) and creating truly inclusive learning spaces + Module 6: Other specific learning differences (autism, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, etc)
- Week 8 – Live Session 3
Each module consists of a series of short videos, text, and quizzes. The interactive live sessions are in small groups of 6 to 10 teachers, and teachers can choose between several timetables.
ADMIN / MARKETING
Your admin and marketing staff will join the Dyslexia Smart Admin program, which also is a hybrid online course, with 5 modules and 2 live sessions.
- Week 1 – Module 1: Understanding and recognizing dyslexia & ADHD in language learning
- Week 2 – Live Session 1
- Week 3 – Module 2: Explaining dyslexia smart teaching
- Week 4 – Module 3: Emotional Intelligence and Motivation
- Week 5 – Module 4: Effective communication around dyslexia and ADHD (with parents, students, peers) and creating truly inclusive learning spaces
- Week 6 – Module 5: Other specific learning differences (autism, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, etc)
- Week 7 – Live Session 2
Each module consists of a series of short videos, text, and quizzes. The interactive live sessions are in small groups.
And how will your teachers become unicorns and your admin staff heroes?
Well, because a student once told me that finding an English teacher who understands about dyslexia and ADHD is like finding a unicorn.
And, when I ran my dyslexia smart English courses, a mother of a dyslexic girl told me that me and my team were absolute heroes. We had changed her daughter’s life, as well as hers.
Great, right?
But, maybe you wonder….
Who am I?
My name is Boelo van der Pool. I’m Dutch and have been living in Spain for the past 30 years. During this time, I have been deeply involved in language learning, running a language school for 25 years and participating in international research projects.
I am a language coach, teacher trainer, and course developer.
I speak Dutch, English, and Spanish, and I can get by in German and French.
And….I have a dyslexic and ADHD brain.
I always suspected that something was different about me, but it was only seven years ago that I was diagnosed with both dyslexia and ADHD.
And when I started learning more about it, I realized that learning languages (and most of all English) is the biggest frustration for the vast majority of dyslexic and ADHD students. So I decided to explore how dyslexic and ADHD students can learn languages more effectively and what we, as language teachers, can do to support them.
I have developed neurodiverse-friendly teaching strategies that have already helped hundreds of Spanish-speaking dyslexic, ADHD, and autistic students improve their English skills.
Now, I want to give language schools and their teachers around the world the opportunity to become Dyslexia Smart and do the same.
NOW IT’S UP TO YOU
- Do you want to be able to recognize your students with dyslexia and ADHD?
- Do you want to be able to teach ALL your students effectively?
- Do you want to increase student retention?
- Do you want MORE students in your school?
- Do you want to stand out and be a true HERO in your community?
- Do you want to be the school that makes a difference?
- Do you want to join an international network of Dyslexia Smart Schools?
Q & A
1. Why is it called the Dyslexia Smart Teacher program if it also includes other neurodiversities?
Although this course focuses on all forms of neurodiversity, there are specific reasons for its name.
First, dyslexia is the most prevalent neurodiverse condition. While ADHD and autism receive a lot of attention, you are more likely to have dyslexic students in your class than students with autism or ADHD. However, dyslexia is often more “invisible” than the other two, making it one of the most frequently undiagnosed conditions.
Second, there is a high level of comorbidity – or overlap – between different neurodiverse conditions. For instance, someone with dyslexia is very likely to also exhibit traits of ADHD, autism, or dyscalculia. This means that the strategies discussed in this course are not only applicable to students with dyslexia but are also effective for all neurodiverse students.
Ultimately, the strategies you use to improve the learning experience for your dyslexic (and other neurodiverse) students will also benefit all your students, including neurotypical ones.
2. Do I need to be a language teacher to take the course?
Quick answer: NO
Slightly longer answer: This course is designed for language teachers. However, at least 80% of the content is also applicable to teachers of other subjects – or even to parents who want to better understand and support their dyslexic child’s learning.
Whether you teach math, biology, science, primary school, or any other subject, if you want to make a difference for your neurodiverse students, this course is for you.
3. Can I pay in other currencies?
Quick answer: YES
Slightly longer answer: Payment will be processed via Stripe. This excellent system allows you to choose your preferred currency, so you don’t have to pay in Euros if you’d rather not. Stripe will handle all the calculations for both you and me.
4. Can I choose when I want to start?
Quick answer: it depends (I know this is not very useful, so you might want to read the slightly longer answer)
Slightly longer answer: If you take the Dyslexia Smart Teacher course without the live sessions, you can start whenever you want. Just register and get started.
If you want to enroll in the Dyslexia Smart Teacher PLUS program, which includes three live sessions, we have set starting dates for it. Up until summer 2025, I have scheduled four starting dates:
- January 13th
- March 10th
- May 5th
- June 30th
Each cohort will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants.
5. Can I choose my own pace for taking the course?
Quick answer: it depends (I know this is not very useful, so you might want to read the slightly longer answer)
Slightly longer answer: If you take the Dyslexia Smart Teacher course without the live sessions, you can choose your own learning pace entirely. However, you must complete one module before moving on to the next. Simply register and get started.
If you enroll in the Dyslexia Smart Teacher PLUS program, which includes three live sessions, there are set dates for each module.
However, after completing a module or the entire program, you will have unlimited access to revisit any previous module at your convenience.
6. When and how will I get the Dyslexia Smart Certificate?
Upon completing the course and the final reflection assignment, you will receive a Dyslexia Smart Teacher certificate in PDF format. Additionally, you will receive a Dyslexia Smart Teacher badge in .png or .jpg format, which you can use on your social media to showcase your achievement as a true Dyslexia Smart Teacher.
The certificate will differentiate between the Dyslexia Smart program and the Dyslexia Smart PLUS program, which includes three live sessions and a group assignment.
7. What is the Dyslexia Smart Teacher network?
This is a worldwide network of teachers who have completed the Dyslexia Smart Teacher program. Here, you will not only find a supportive community but also have the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences, ideas, and inspirations about neurodiversity with other educators.
Within this network, I will regularly share updates on research, insights, inspirations, ideas, and useful materials.
Together, we will work to create a better and more inclusive language learning environment for all our students.
8. If I have any questions, who do I ask?
9. Can I get an invoice for the course?
Of course. With Stripe, you can request an invoice. However, if you need specific information included on your invoice or require it to be issued in your employer’s name, just send me an email at [email protected].
10. What happens if I don’t like the course?
To be honest, this has never happened before with any of my courses, but you never know – it could happen someday.
If it does:
- Let me know at [email protected].
- If there’s anything I can do to make it better, I will.
- If not, I’ll issue you a full refund.
11. How many hours per week will I need to dedicate to the course?
This largely depends on how quickly you want to go through the material. If you complete it in one go, without breaks or repetitions, it will likely take you about 1.5 hours per week, including the videos, text, and quizzes.
However, it is recommended to take breaks to process the information, rewatch videos, and sometimes read the text a second time.
This course is designed to be very different from other teacher training courses you may be used to.
For those taking the Dyslexia Smart Teacher PLUS course, there will be no new module to work on during the weeks with live sessions. These live sessions will last between 1.5 and 2 hours, depending on the input from participants, as I want to ensure that everyone gets the most out of the experience.
12. Is the certificate officially recognized?
This certificate is not yet officially recognized.
However, I collaborate with individual language schools that are familiar with the Dyslexia Smart Teacher program and its value, so they will recognize and understand the significance of this certificate.
13. What happens if I can’t attend a live session in the PLUS program?
You must try to attend the live sessions. These are the moments where we can interact with each other and you can ask questions.
I understand that teachers come from different countries and time zones, so we will work together to decide on the best times for the sessions, ensuring they accommodate as many teachers as possible.
If you are unable to attend a live session, you will be invited to send your questions beforehand, so I can address them during the session. The session will also be recorded, allowing you to watch it afterward.
14. How is this course different from other neurodiversity-focused teacher training programs?
What other teachers have told me is that this course is much more practical than any other course on neurodiversity they have taken before. You will not only gain a strong understanding of neurodiversity and how it affects learners, but also how it connects specifically to language learning.
This is also a hands-on course, filled with practical activities and inspirations that you can apply immediately in your classroom.
Teachers say that this course has been transformative for them. It has opened their eyes to a new world of learning – a world of neurodiversity. After the course, they view their students in a completely new way.
My goal is not just to inform you or provide a list of activities and materials to use. This course is truly about change. It’s about changing how you see your students, changing how you work toward inclusion, and, most importantly, changing how your neurodiverse students will learn in your classes.
One teacher described this course as a “lighthouse” because, as she said:
“It provided me with clear directions to guide me as I navigate the new normal in our classrooms. Just like a lighthouse illuminates dark waters, this course shed light on a topic I knew very little about and has inspired me to explore learning disabilities in greater depth.”
15. How will this certificate impact my professional career?
Quick answer: in a very positive way
Slightly longer answer: First of all, by becoming a Dyslexia Smart Teacher, you will know how to work effectively with neurodiverse students. This means you can not only help your current students but also attract new neurodiverse students to your classes. Considering that 15-20% of the population has a neurodiverse brain, imagine how many students this could be.
If you are a private teacher and work independently, you will be able to reach new students and, as a specialist, charge more for your classes. By taking this course, you will enter a niche market with very little competition.
If you work in a school or aspire to, this certificate will give you a significant advantage over other language teachers. I’ll emphasize this again: 15-20% of the students in your school have a neurodiverse brain. And you will be the teacher who understands it, can recognize it, and, most importantly, can teach these students effectively. In other words, you will become an invaluable asset to the school.
On a personal level, understanding neurodiversity is essential for creating an inclusive and equitable world. Playing an active role in inclusive education not only benefits your students but also provides a deep sense of purpose and belonging. Together, we can contribute to a more just and supportive learning environment for everyone.
16. Will there be any follow-up opportunities after completing the course?
Quick answer: of course
Slightly longer answer: Yes! Together with all Dyslexia Smart Teachers, we will create an online Dyslexia Smart Network. Here, you will find information, inspiration, and materials, as well as the opportunity to share your ideas and experiences with other teachers.
In addition, we will organize regular live Q&A sessions with myself and other experts to answer all your questions regarding neurodiversity and language teaching.
