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The case for course substitutions as a reasonable accommodation for students with foreign language learning
1Education Department faculty at Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
Journal of Learning Disabilities
|October 29, 2004
Summary
Some students struggle with foreign language acquisition. Universities should offer alternative courses for those unable to meet language requirements, even with special programs, without compromising liberal education goals.
Area of Science:
- Higher Education
- Linguistics
- Pedagogy
Background:
- Persistent challenges in foreign language acquisition affect a subset of students.
- Educational institutions are tasked with supporting diverse learning needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the appropriateness of alternative course substitutions for students with profound foreign language learning difficulties.
- To assess whether such substitutions fundamentally alter the objectives of a liberal education.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing pedagogical approaches for language learning support.
- Analysis of institutional policies regarding foreign language requirements.
- Philosophical examination of liberal education goals.
Main Results:
- Specialized language programs exist but do not fully address all learning barriers.
- A small cohort of students remains unable to achieve foreign language proficiency.
- Course substitution is a viable accommodation for these students.
Conclusions:
- Allowing foreign language requirement substitution is an appropriate accommodation.
- This accommodation does not undermine the core principles of a liberal education.
- Universities should consider flexible pathways for students facing insurmountable language learning obstacles.