An Innovative Pencil Free Approach to Effectively Teach Irregular Word Spelling Using Visualisations and Mnemonics.

Bronwyne van Zyl – Dyslexia Intervention Specialist – An experienced Specialist Dyslexia Teacher with 18 years international experience at senior level in the field of Specific Learning Differences and Academic Assessment, Bronwyne’s professional career, spanning four countries and many diverse cultures, has focused on empowering children with learning differences, building confidence, and creating unique approaches to ensure each student is taught the way they learn best. While completing her Master’s degree in Education SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) – Dyslexia Leadership, through Middlesex University, she used Picture This! Spelling to drive her research, proving that a pencil free visual approach to spelling really works!

Coming from an Orton-Gillingham background which simultaneously combines the visual, auditory and kinesthetic modalities into a multi- sensory approach to teach reading and spelling to students with specific learning difference, she realised that finding a pencil free approach to teach spelling was crucial in order to address student wellbeing and confidence.

Bronwyne has been invited as a guest speaker at many conferences and workshops across the UAE, namely the MENA SEN Conference, Education Experts Middle East, Infinite Learning and SENCO Network workshops. Bronwyne is recognised for bringing creativity to bear upon the upliftment of each individual child through the development of individualised, customised programs, achieving excellent results.

Bronwyne is also a Specialist Assessor registered with the British Psychological Society and has found that her experience in assessment has allowed her insights into the types of errors students make when attempting to spell irregular words. With a background in the Arts, she has realised how important creativity is when teaching spelling. Bronwyne has gained years of experience while working in and leading specialised provisions throughout the Middle East and Africa, both in Primary and in Secondary. She is passionate about finding alternative methods of instruction to accommodate all her students, ultimately opening up possibilities for progress and achievement.