Error message

The Learning Village website requires JavaScript to be enabled. Click here for instructions on how to do this.

Learning Village

SEND support: Dual coding - Use of visuals and words

Arrange an initial conversation

Start enrolling your learners with a FREE trial now

Arrange an initial conversation

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

Please specify a preferred date and time for your obligation-free initial conversation. Bookings are subject to availability. A member of our team will contact you to confirm your booking.

Country *

Timezone

Please click here to make your booking.

Preferred time *

Name *

School

Email *

Telephone number *

Role *

What are you interested in?

6-11 year-olds 'The Village'

Blended vocabulary, language structure and reading programme for EAL and multilingual learners

Image as the language of instruction for learners of ANY language background

Independent learning • small-group teaching • differentiation in class • high interest, low level reading support

For 6-11 year-olds

11-16 year-olds 'The Islands'

Blended vocabulary, language structure and reading programme for EAL and multilingual learners

Image as the language of instruction for learners of ANY language background

Independent learning • small-group teaching • differentiation in class • high interest, low level reading support

For 11-16 year-olds

Post-16/adults (Community Village)

Blended vocabulary, language structure and reading programme for ESOL and multilingual adult learners

Supporting school community members with their integration into school community life!

High interest, low level reading - image as the language of instruction for learners of ANY language background.

AssessEP

Across Cultures English Proficiency Assessment (AssessEP) is an easy assessment to administer, suitable for learners aged 7+ through to adult.

On taking this trial/downloading you agree to be contacted by Across Cultures (including our marketing). We will not share your data with any third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Leave this field blank

Download your FREE flashcards here

Please enter your details below - your FREE flashcards will then be emailed to you.

I agree to the Privacy Policy
On taking this trial/downloading you agree to be contacted by Across Cultures (including our marketing). We will not share your data with any third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Author: Karen Wilson, SEND Specialist

Approximate reading time: 1 minute

Dual coding, developed by Allan Pavio, is a teaching method that combines different types of stimuli to support students to learn and remember information. It is particularly beneficial for learners with special educational needs. An example might be combining words with pictures or audio with text.

Tip or Idea: Start with an image and ask students to explain in their own words what they mean or flip it around and provide students with a word and ask them to draw or create their own image.

Free resource to help you with this activity: Dual coding is key to the Learning Village programme. Try using our exercise resources to see how the combination of images and words can help your learners.

SEND support: Adjectives - Describing words

Created: Tue 13th Aug 2024

Being able to understand and use a range of adjectives can help learners to communicate successfully. Adjectives are essential for adding information or interest to their spoken or written language. They also enable learners to differentiate between items.

illustration of a brain with symbols for the five senses

SEND support: Sensory-inclusive environments

Created: Mon 5th May 2025

Sensory needs (considering lighting, noise, textures, smells etc.) are now being seen as a central part of school design. It is widely recognised that overwhelming environments can block learning or trigger distress. Each learning environment presents its own opportunities and challenges to reducing sensory overload. Luckily, there are lots of small changes that can make a big difference to your learners!

A library section with non-fiction books

SEND support: Non-fiction texts

Created: Thu 3rd Jul 2025

As well as being interesting and engaging, non-fiction texts help to develop learners’ academic vocabulary and support learning across the curriculum. Learners can use non-fiction texts to develop knowledge, retrieval, and comprehension skills, and this can be developed even further with higher level skills such as analysis and evaluation. Learners with SEND may find the bite-sized facts, clear sections and subheadings, and accompanying diagrams or illustrations in non-fiction texts less overwhelming than a longer narrative text.

Back to Blog

Sign up for our newsletter

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

Receive your monthly EAL Teaching newsletter here! Sign up for free advice, guidance and downloads

Please enter your details below

Name

School

Role

Country

* On signing up to this newsletter you agree to be contacted by Across Cultures (including our marketing). We will not share your data with any third parties. You can unsubscribe at any time.