<p>My 11 year old brother is doing horrible in Spanish, almost failing. He has had a hearing problem for years now, a bone in his head obstructs his hearing of lower toned/deeper sounding words (I think). I'm beginning to wonder if they're related to each other, does anyone have a similar problem or think this could be a problem in regards to learning a second language? He's taken 3 years and still struggles with the basics.</p>
<p>I think it would really important to ask his audiologist this question, and perhaps to have a learning specialist who works with children with hearing deficits evaluate him with respect to this problem. If your brother's problems learning a foreign language are related to his limited hearing, then either the school needs to change the way they are teaching him Spanish, or he needs to change courses. I wonder if something like Latin, in which the emphasis is on reading and not speaking, or even ASL, would be a good alternative?</p>
<p>Early hearing problems are often associated with language processing difficulties. For example, children with chronic ear infections are far more likely to have reading and language based learning difficulties. If there is a more general problem with auditory information processing you would expect to also see weaknesses in reading and English. It is reasonable to ask the school to do an evaluation (speech-language/hearing/psychology).</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. He doesn't actually have an audiologist. The hearing problem was determined several years ago during a routine school hearing test. I will try and push my mom to take him to my uncle (who is an ENT) or an audiologist this summer, or even just to the health department for another test.</p>
<p>Is there anything extra we would have to do to request a test for him, or would bringing them a copy of the test be sufficient? They have received his tests every year since this problem was recorded, so I wonder if they don't think this is a problem or are ignoring it.</p>
<p>One other question...how do you think they would go about accommodating him? He's going to be in middle school next year and his only options for the next three years are French, Spanish, or Japanese. In high school he also has Chinese or German, but no Latin or ASL. Does anyone have any idea how they would teach him differently so we can understand what will help him? I might mention Latin though, and see if he could take it at a language center of some kind.</p>
<p>Christi</p>
<p>You need to talk with the special education coordinator at your brother's school. If he is in a public school, and has a medical condition or a learning disability (or both) that affect his ability to perform in school, the school is required under federal law to accommodate him. If he is in a private school, the local public school district is responsible for helping sort everything out. There are specific guidelines under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that govern the identification process, and outline ways in which schools are expected to respond to a student's needs.</p>
<p>Families often find that they have to push schools to act. If you feel your brother is not doing as well in school as he is capable of, you need to become educated about the whole special education system in your school district (and in your state) so that you, along with your parents, can better advocate for your brother.</p>
<p>You are in a challenging situation. I wish you, and all your family, all the best.</p>
<p>The problem would have to be better understood before any plan can be made. Students who have more severe language processing difficulties will often get exemptions. At other times, students will get a reduced language requirement. As for actual strategies, they would really depend on the nature of the problem. The best approach would be to have the hearing problem evaluated and documented and then take the report to the school with your concerns.</p>