The Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching and Assessment for Dyslexia will introduce you to some of the issues and debates in relation to understanding specific learning difficulties (dyslexia). In the first module you will learn about teaching children and young people with dyslexia and develop your knowledge of contemporary ideas and concepts. We foster an inclusive learning community, you will be welcomed by your tutor and supported by your peers on the course.

After your place is accepted, you will be sent a welcome letter with instructions on how to complete your online registration. Please complete your online pre-registration and upload your photo and evidence of your qualifications and your identification as requested. Once you are fully enrolled you will have access to Blackboard, our online learning environment, and our library resources. Please make sure you enrol straight away for all the information and resources you need for your course. The welcome letter will include details of the first session which includes online orientation activities and an online webinar to familiarise you with the University computer systems and provide you with a clear overview of the course.

Pre-Course Activities

It is essential that you engage and work through the activities outlined in 'The Learning Skills’ module. The module will help you to develop your understanding of relevant legislation and ethical principles you must adhere to when teaching and preparing to teach. Activities will help you to explore the importance of phonics and multi-sensory approaches in teaching learners with dyslexia. The module also provides guidance on academic skills needed for postgraduate study.

Learning Skills Module for the PG Cert in Specialist Teaching and Assessment for Dyslexia, please click here: PG Cert in Specialist Teaching and Assessment for Dyslexia - Canterbury Christ Church University

Key dates

You will be invited to a Welcome Saturday event, 14 September, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm, Augustine House, Canterbury. You will receive core information regarding access to the library, printed copy of the course handbook and further guidance relating to course content.

Your welcome and online induction session will be held, 18 September 2024, 3:30 - 4:30 pm, online.

We look forward to meeting you.

The more you can prepare with regard to reading texts related to dyslexia the better equipped you will be for the course. The following two texts are very useful to support you in fully preparing for your studies.

The following text provides some background information for dyslexia and also a full teaching programme, including baselining measures. This text is referred to on the course and some activities are directly linked to readings in the book:

Kelly, K. & Phillips S. (2022) Teaching Literacy to Learners with Dyslexia: A Multisensory Approach Third edition. London; Sage Publications Ltd.

The following text focuses on assessment of dyslexia and outlines very useful information on the different areas of assessment as well as useful tools for analysis of spelling and screening for dyslexia:

Phillips, S., Kelly, K. & Symes, L. (2018) Assessment of Learners with Dyslexic-Type Difficulties Second Edition. London; Sage Publications Ltd

These are both available from the library which you can access once you have registered for the course. However, please also be aware that we have negotiated a discount with SAGE for these books if they are purchased at the university bookshop – we will provide details of this at your induction, but if you wish to purchase them sooner so you can get ahead with your reading.

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.