Special educators understand typical and atypical language development and the ways in which exceptional conditions can interact with an individual’s experience with and use of language. Special educators use individualized strategies to enhance language development and teach communication skills to individuals with ELN. Special educators are familiar with augmentative, alternative, and assistive technologies to support and enhance communication of individuals with exceptional needs. Special educators match their communication methods to an individual’s language proficiency and cultural and linguistic differences. Special educators provide effective language models and they use communication strategies and resources to facilitate understanding of subject matter for individuals with ELN whose primary language is not English.
Beginning special educators demonstrate their mastery of language for and with individuals with ELN through the mastery of the CEC Common Core Knowledge and Skills, as well as through the appropriate CEC Specialty Area(s) Knowledge and Skills for which the preparation program is preparing candidates
Common Core
| Knowledge: |
| CC6K1 | Effects of cultural and linguistic differences on growth and development. |
| CC6K2 | Characteristics of one’s own culture and use of language and the ways in which these can differ from other cultures and uses of languages. |
| CC6K3 | Ways of behaving and communicating among cultures that can lead to misinterpretation and misunderstanding. |
| CC6K4 | Augmentative and assistive communication strategies. |
| Skill: |
| CC6S1 | Use strategies to support and enhance communication skills of individuals with exceptional learning needs. |
| CC6S2 | Use communication strategies and resources to facilitate understanding of subject matter for students whose primary language is not the dominant language. |
Early Childhood
| Knowledge: None in addition to Common Core |
| Skill: |
| EC6S1 | Support and facilitate family and child interactions as primary contexts for learning and development. |
7. Instructional Planning
