Download resource

Please enter your details to download this resource
Login
 

Enter your details to access this video

Or if you already have an account login to watch the video (if you don't you can register here).
Login
colourful speech bubbles
Author: Karen Wilson, SEND Specialist
Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link
Approximate reading time: 1 minute

How societies, schools, and families view and support learners with SEND is often shaped by cultural beliefs, values, and traditions. It is important to consider the families you work with and be aware of potential differences. Respecting values, adapting approaches, and using inclusive language can help to achieve strong partnerships between school and home. Terms like special needs or disability may not always translate directly across languages, so discussing strengths and differences may be a more helpful approach.

Tip or Idea: Learning more about the cultural identity of your families can help develop mutual understanding, trust, and respect. Using open-ended questions, celebrating diversity through cultural events, and encouraging learners to share their culture in the classroom can help families feel seen and valued.

Learning Village resource: Our ‘Who we are’ activity for families resource offers a range of different ways to support and foster cultural identity at home. These could then be shared at school to build deeper understanding and connections.

Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link

More articles by this author

Colourful shapes

SEND support: Unique learner needs

Created: Wed 31st Jul 2024

Every learner is unique! This includes your SEND learners. Sometimes you need to create a bespoke resource to support their individual needs.

Tip or Idea: Using multimodal resources can provide a multi-layered approach to learning, removing barriers for learners and creating a fun, engaging learning environment.

board game with dice and figures

SEND support: Using games to learn

Created: Mon 23rd Mar 2026

Games are one of the most effective ways to support both SEND and EAL learners because they reduce anxiety, increase engagement, and make language learning fun! Structured games also offer additional benefits for SEND learners by encouraging attention, turn-taking, and understanding routines. Visual rules, simple instructions, and predictable formats also help reduce cognitive load whilst keeping learning active and inclusive.

SEND Support: Listening to and giving instructions - Prepositions

Created: Mon 13th Nov 2023

Learners having difficulty with receptive language or following directions may need support with learning propositions.

Tip or Idea: Ask your learner to draw or make an imaginary scene by following instructions e.g. Draw a house at the bottom of your page/Draw a sunshine above the house/Draw a tree next to the house. Extend this further: Can your learner tell you what to draw? Can they make a crazy or funny picture? Can they make a scene with physical objects?

Back to Blog