Verbal Deficit

Dasani

Verbal Deficit

It is typical for learners like Dasani, who are new to English, to experience difficulties reasoning with words (in English). When you compare results for the verbal and non-verbal abilities many may have a discrepancy – with their non-verbal scores often being higher.

Dasani is hard working, quick to learn and particularly enjoys activities that involve hands-on learning. She can find large group discussions difficult to keep up with as she can miss unfamiliar cultural references and can confuse popular expressions. Dasani often needs additional prompts and reminders in literacy related learning.

Key Questions

  • Consider whether EAL is the reason for the deficit. Is it appropriate to investigate language/vocabulary/reading skills?
  • Provide opportunities for non-traditional approaches to recording knowledge.
  • Foster opportunities for Dasani to build their literary cannon.
  • Facilitate chunking of information and tasks to help Dasani manage the demands of learning and the curriculum.
  • Provide infographic knowledge organisers (and alike) to support pre-learning and access to subject specific vocabulary and concepts.
60 100 140 Verbal Quantitative Spatial Non-Verbal

Verbal

Verbal classification

Verbal analogies

These learners will likely excel in debate, developing strong connected arguments. It’s also probable that they draw upon advanced reading skills to use rich and effective language/vocabulary for creative writing.

These learners will likely find accessing tasks involving the written word more challenging and may find it difficult to keep pace in group discussions where they should be given clearly defined roles to avoid being a ‘passenger’.

Non-verbal

Figure classification

Figure matrices

These learners will quickly build a puzzle, solve a Rubix cube or spot the difference as they prefer to think with numbers or images. They will likely thrive with activities that require them to problem solve with abstract information.

These learners may find it difficult to keep up in the learning environment as they may not follow instructions or find new information easy to follow. They will likely find challenge with following logical approaches to problem-solving including model building and science experiments.

Quantitative

Number analogies

Number series

These learners will likely excel in tasks related to arithmetic and computation. They will solve number problems, find patterns in numbers and identify relationships within data sets with greater ease.

These learners will likely experience barriers with number related learning which may manifest as an anxiety toward maths. They may have difficulty with recall of number facts, recognising the value of a group of objects, seeing patterns in numbers and with basic arithmetic skills.

Spatial

Figure analysis

Figure recognition

These learners will be quick to visualize and will learn best through concrete resources, graphics/images or in the virtual world. Concepts that can be explored actively and in three dimensions (model design and building) will likely be easier for them to grasp

These learners may need additional support with organisation and navigation as they may miss clues in their environment. Learning may need to be scaffolded/demonstrated particularly if represented in abstract two-dimensional diagrams.