Dyslexia International at World Teachers Day, UNESCO, October 2013

This event has been celebrated every year since 2009 in Paris where ministries of education from all of UNESCO’s member states are represented. 

André Poncelet, founder member of DI, accompanied by Badia Lel Bachiri, attended the presentations in the main hall whilst members of our team organized our stand. The theme on 4 October 2013 was ‘World Citizenship’.

Highlights included: presentation about the second World Dyslexia Forum in Brazil in 2014; ‘GraphoGame’; and information for ministries.

One of our handouts was 'What makes a good teacher?' written by a teacher at Highsted School, Kent. 

A child playing ‘GraphoGame’ on a tablet

‘GraphoGame’ is evidence-based software developed by a team led by Professor Heikki Lyttinen in Finland who is also a member of our Scientific Advisory Panel. Freely available on the web in an increasing number of languages, it teaches students how to make letter-sound conversions. It is being used for research purposes in several other languages including Kiswahili, Nyanjaa and Afrikaans.

Our messages to ministries stated that we train teachers to help all students – primary, secondary and adult – to learn to read and write. Our materials are evidence-based and draw on latest research in structured, multisensory teaching.

Dyslexia International’s site is in English and French. We are building Departments in Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. The online course is available in Portuguese thanks to Professor Angela Pinheiro.

Angela is Chair of the Steering Committee for the Second World Dyslexia 2014 taking place in Brazil. She met Judith Sanson, DI Chair of the Board of Directors, to discuss practical and promotional matters about the Forum, which is at an advanced state of preparation.