Slow learner to faster learner

Changing a slow learning to a faster learner takes considerable amount of time depending on how slow a learner is. Once (long time ago), I had a 10-year-old boy who was normal in every way but is unable to speak English while his classmates were way ahead. I tutored him personally during my free time, taught him to say words, point to pictures. To a certain extent, he could follow but the next day it happened again. I didn't have a chance to continue tutoring him when school reopened after the break as I had other classes to teach. What I'm trying to say is, as a teacher, we do all we can to help slow learners or learners with problems but our hands are often tied. We sometimes can't help them to be what they're supposed to be. If you have a class of only 10-15 students, then you might be able to assist the slow learner on your own, or if you have a good student, get him to help the slow learner while you supervise the progress. I've not got this chance at all as classes in my country are large - 40 students per class even at university level. So, hendritanbm, do your best for this student and don't expect to do wonders in a short frame of time unless you're able to take him under your wings for a few months or at least a year.

I used to be a teacher, and was also puzzled by the same question. My observation is slow learners are caused by a multiple prebirth and postbirth reasons, including poor educational foundation. Some can be changed by diligence to make up, but not all can be equally fast. My understanding is whether slow or fast, they should be encouraged to fit their status. Teachers should give more patience and accommodation to the slow learners, while give more challenging assignments to the fast learners, so that both will not lose interest and make progress against their repective footing. It is no easy job to be a teacher, but you will feel the reward in the process.

My son is a bit slower than the others. I just noticed he is slow because of loosing interest, he rather choose to play than studying. He is already 10 year old but can't leave alone to study. I still keep trying to teach him, analyzing the story line by line. In mathematics, i keep trying to find other techniques or short cuts to make him got the answer to the problem. It's quite frustrating to let him be at the average level in the class, but i can't do more. My work is 8 hours travel far from home and i can't afford to hire a tutor so both me and my son suffer. If there is a vitamins for memory enhancer i will buy it for him.

People have different learning styles I guess. Some people I know are visual learners. They find it easy to pick up on things from reading books and looking at pictures. Others, like myself, learn better from a more "hands-on" approach. I have a hard time understanding things until I actually do them. Perhaps the best solution to your problem would be to change the teaching strategy?

Hi there! I am a teacher too and I do encounter your problem all the time. One thing we must have first is the acceptance that all students are unique and we as teacher must address the uniqueness they have. It is important for us to embrace the Multi - Intelligences because one student might not be good in math but maybe good in science. As for addressing the slow and fast learner in class, one of my strategy is peer tutoring. I am partnering the slow and fast learner and the fast learner act as a tutor. I will just give them topics to be discussed and let them study the way they like it. Often times, students are very shy to ask us questions so when they have their learning partner, they can ask questions they can't ask us. I find this really effective. Hope it will work out on your students to. This may be quite tasking because this is additional work but it really does pay off.

I am not a teacher but I've always been regarded as a fast learner because I can learn fast compared to others. I think my teacher notice about this so everyday, she is giving me a learning partner. I have to teach that partner on my own way and she will be the one to check if there's some improvement.

Hi, most slow learners just learn in a different way to most people...we think that the way we learn is the fastest way and anyone who doesnt conform is slow...yet there brains may use different paths to learn...perhaps try using more visual aids, simple sign language to associate things, and more one on one time...especially to find out what makes them tick...One of my daughters learnt her multiplication through song rather than the normal method as the tune made it stick into her head better. i also homeschooled her on weekends and played certain different classical pieces of music in the background for each subject taught..again to help her associate. Going back to basics and introducing play acting...say creating a shop corner to help with numbers and coins...a dressing up corner to help with ordering and sorting items...perhaps turning back the clock to the way children are taught in playschool is the way forward, it could be that that particular child had a secluded or upset or even bullied playschool life that has stunted his/her ability to learn, and going back to basics might be just what he/she needs to "reset" her learning process?