Courses for International Education Professionals

Our range of short courses are appropriate for:

• A wide range of professional teachers, practitioners and specialists
• Qualified teachers at all key stages
• Special educational needs teachers and coordinators (SENCOs)
• Teaching and Learning Support assistants
• Tutors and support staff in Further/Higher Education and other adult educational settings.

For specific course entry requirements, please consult the individual course page links provided below.

The Dyslexia Action CPD programme replaces the former Dyslexia Action
Hornsby: Alpha to Omega courses.

The Dyslexia Action Level 4 and 5 Online CPD Programme consists of independent short units. All our units are available as independent stand-alone courses. Units can also be built up over time to gain Awards (three CPD units) and then a Certificate (two Awards/ six Units).  A list of all CPD Units and Awards can be found on this dedicated page here.

This flexible CPD programme offers the opportunity to choose from a range of study options:

• Units – Enhance your skills in a particular area with just one Level 4 or 5 CPD Unit
  Suggested Units for those working in an international education setting:
  Level 4 Dyslexia and Co-occurring Difficulties (DACPD51)
  Level 4 Supporting Individuals with Memory Weaknesses (DACPD52)
  Level 4 Structured, Cumulative Multisensory Tuition for Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD53)
  Level 4 Developing Reading Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD84)
  Level 4 Developing Writing Skills in Learners with Dyslexia (DACPD85)
  Level 5 Dyslexia in Multilingual Settings (DACPD94)
• Awards – Combine three CPD Units to achieve an Award
  Level 4 Perspectives on Dyslexia (DAAWD51)
  Level 4 Supporting International Learners with Dyslexia (DAAWD67)
• Certificates – Combine two Awards (or six CPD Units) to achieve a Level 4 Certificate.

Watch our short video ‘A guide to our accredited CPD Programme:

The Level 5 Diploma in Specialist Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties (DIST) is a unique, online SpLD training qualification that trains teachers, teaching assistants and support tutors to become qualified specialist SpLD teachers (for those who hold QTS/PGCE) or SpLD practitioners (for those without QTS/PGCE). The programme is comprehensive, flexible and undertaken part-time.

What will I learn?

The Level 5 Diploma course will enable you to:

• Acquire a comprehensive understanding of literacy acquisition and gain the technical knowledge to foster language awareness in learners with literacy difficulties (including dyslexia)
• Get to grips with a literacy skills audit tool and use it to plan a bespoke literacy intervention programme
• Develop the expertise to use the Dyslexia Action Literacy Programme (DALP) which endorses a multifaceted approach to literacy teaching. Learning points cover knowledge of phoneme-grapheme correspondences, parts of speech, basic punctuation, suffixing skills and working with polysyllabic words
• Plan comprehensive individualised literacy sessions that are structured, cumulative and multisensory
• Analyse learners’ literacy performance with precision and accuracy using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
• Develop the skills to mentor and advise non-specialist staff on effective strategies for supporting learners with literacy challenges within your educational setting.

Which route is suitable for me?

Which level SpLD Teaching programme should I choose?

The Dyslexia Action Postgraduate Certificates, Diploma and MEd qualifications are a unique and prestigious programme at Master’s level 7 that provides training to become informed practitioners and specialist teachers and/or assessors. This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by Dyslexia Action, awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.  The courses are modular and flexible and are undertaken part-time, through online learning. Access is available 24/7 to the Virtual Learning Environment and all modules are tutor-supported through online forums.

If you do not hold a degree then please see our Level 5 CPD Pathway SpLD Teacher/Practitioner Route.

Postgraduate Certificate – Specialist Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties

Qualification overview 

In order to achieve this qualification, you will have to complete the following modules:

• DAPP21-01 Literacy Acquisition – Underpinning Theory (30 credits)
• DAPP21-02 Specialist Literacy Teaching – Linking Theory to Practice (30 credits)

Click here for further information and a programme brochure.

Postgraduate Diploma – Specialist Assessment and Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties

Qualification overview 

In order to achieve this qualification, you will have to complete the following modules:

• DAPP21-01 Literacy Acquisition – Underpinning Theory (30 credits)
• DAPP21-02 Specialist Literacy Teaching – Linking Theory to Practice (30 credits)
• DAPP21-03 Psychometric Assessment of Literacy-Related Difficulties (30 credits)
• DAPP21-04 Psychometric Assessment of Cognitive Processing (30 credits)

Click here for further information and a programme brochure.

MEd Professional Practice in Dyslexia and Literacy Routes One and Two

To gain the full MEd Professional Practice in Dyslexia and Literacy, you must complete 180 credits at level 7 (masters level). There are two routes available, please click here for further information.

The Emotionally Connected Classroom course may be useful if Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) is an area of interest for you or if you are looking to complement your knowledge in SEND. Additionally, this level 5 short online course is suitable for your colleagues who are working in teaching support roles, as well as teachers, SENCOs and other SEND professionals.

This course has been developed by our team of experienced Educational Psychologists, who are familiar with the challenges of school-life. The course will provide an understanding of the impact of emotions on the thinking brain and its implications for learning. It provides an introduction to key elements of current research in this area, alongside tools and strategies that can be utilised to develop connectedness and relationships.

Our Specialist CPD Programme is designed for those who are already qualified SpLD teachers/practitioners and assessors and will help you to stay at the forefront of all information in the field and have access to the latest resources. Click here for further information.

Established in 1972 and celebrating our 50th year, Dyslexia Action Training has been supporting online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for international schools as well as UK-based educators. We love hearing how our courses and qualifications make a difference in the lives of education professionals working with individuals with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.

However, it is also amazing for us to receive accolades in various established industry awards, as it gives us great confidence that what we offer is valued by acclaimed leaders and experts in the education section as well.