Main Article Content

Abstract

This study explores teachers’ strategic teaching in supporting dyslexic students’ basic reading skills in Indonesian inclusive EFL classrooms, where evidence from authentic classroom practice remains limited. Using a qualitative case study design, the study investigates how an elementary school English teacher implements instructional strategies, adapts classroom practices, and addresses challenges in supporting dyslexic learners. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the teacher employed multisensory phonics instruction, differentiated learning materials, and individualized scaffolding to facilitate students’ reading development. However, limited professional training, inadequate instructional resources, and time constraints remained significant challenges. These challenges were addressed through teacher initiative, including the development of low-cost instructional media and collaboration with parents. The study highlights the importance of teacher agency and adaptive instructional practices in supporting inclusive EFL reading instruction and provides practical implications for teachers working in resource-constrained inclusive classrooms.

Keywords

Dyslexic Students Inclusive Classroom Reading Skills Strategic Teaching

Article Details

How to Cite
Anjani, R., & Daulay, E. (2026). Strategic Teaching in Inclusive EFL Classrooms : A Case Study on Reading Instruction for Dyslexic Students. FOSTER: Journal of English Language Teaching, 7(3), 237-252. https://doi.org/10.24256/foster-jelt.v7i3.466

References

  1. Al Otaiba, S., McMaster, K., Wanzek, J., & Zaru, M. W. (2023). What We Know and Need to Know about Literacy Interventions for Elementary Students with Reading Difficulties and Disabilities, including Dyslexia. Reading Research Quarterly, 58(2), 313–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.458
  2. Amado, C., Dorotea, N., Pedro, A., & Piedade, J. (2022). MOOCs Design: A Conceptual Framework for Continuous Teacher Training in Portugal. Education Sciences, 12(5), 308. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12050308
  3. Antić, S., & Stevanović, J. (2024). How to improve reading comprehension: Mapping critical areas for pedagogical interventions. Nastava i Vaspitanje, 73(3), 345–362. https://doi.org/10.5937/nasvas2403345A
  4. Boardman, K. (2020). An exploration of teachers’ perceptions and the value of multisensory teaching and learning: A perspective on the influence of Specialist Dyslexia Training in England. Education 3-13, 48(7), 795–806. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2019.1653349
  5. Bora, D., Patel, P., Psyridou, M., Ruotsalainen, J., Richardson, U., & Torppa, M. (2025). Foundational English literacy development in India: A randomised-control trial using phonics instruction and GraphoLearn. Reading and Writing, 38(5), 1309–1335. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-024-10551-6
  6. Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
  7. Carreker, S., & Birsh, J. R. (2019). Multisensory teaching of basic language skills activity book (Fourth edition). Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
  8. Chiu, T.-Y., & Drieghe, D. (2023). The role of visual crowding in eye movements during reading: Effects of text spacing. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 85(8), 2834–2858. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-023-02787-1
  9. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=EbogAQAAQBAJ
  10. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2023). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. SAGE. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=b9tFzwEACAAJ
  11. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=DLbBDQAAQBAJ
  12. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (Fourth edition, international student edition). SAGE.
  13. Dimitropoulou, P., Filippatou, D., Gkoutzourela, S., Griva, A., Pachiti, I., & Michaelides, M. (2025). The Synergy of School Climate, Motivation, and Academic Emotions: A Predictive Model for Learning Strategies and Reading Comprehension. Behavioral Sciences, 15(4), 503. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15040503
  14. Drager, K. (2018). Experimental Research Methods in Sociolinguistics. Bloomsbury Academic. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=xhFBDwAAQBAJ
  15. Ehri, L. C. (2014a). Orthographic Mapping in the Acquisition of Sight Word Reading, Spelling Memory, and Vocabulary Learning. Scientific Studies of Reading, 18(1), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2013.819356
  16. Ehri, L. C. (2014b). Orthographic Mapping in the Acquisition of Sight Word Reading, Spelling Memory, and Vocabulary Learning. Scientific Studies of Reading, 18(1), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888438.2013.819356
  17. Ehri, L. C. (2020). The Science of Learning to Read Words: A Case for Systematic Phonics Instruction. Reading Research Quarterly, 55(S1). https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.334
  18. El Arbaouı, F. Z. (2023). Pedagogical Practices for Dyslexic Learners in Moroccan EFL Classroom. International Journal of Educational Research Review, 8(3), 385–395. https://doi.org/10.24331/ijere.1286605
  19. Flaten Jarsve, C., & Tsagari, D. (2022). Dyslexia and English as a Foreign Language in Norwegian Primary Education: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 12(4), 155–180. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1459
  20. Florian, L. (2014). What counts as evidence of inclusive education? European Journal of Special Needs Education, 29(3), 286–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2014.933551
  21. Florian, L., & Black‐Hawkins, K. (2011). Exploring inclusive pedagogy. British Educational Research Journal, 37(5), 813–828. https://doi.org/10.1080/01411926.2010.501096
  22. Grabe, W., & Zhang, C. (2013). Reading and Writing Together: A Critical Component of English for Academic Purposes Teaching and Learning. TESOL Journal, 4(1), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.65
  23. Kilpatrick, D. A. (2015). Essentials of assessing, preventing, and overcoming reading difficulties. Wiley.
  24. Kormos, J. (2016a). The Second Language Learning Processes of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (0 ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315692371
  25. Kormos, J. (2016b). The Second Language Learning Processes of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (0 ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315692371
  26. Kormos, J. (2020). Specific learning difficulties in second language learning and teaching. Language Teaching, 53(2), 129–143. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444819000442
  27. Li, H., Avendaño, S. M., & Bak, M. Y. S. (2025). Analyzing the Effects of a Repeated Reading Intervention on Reading Fluency With Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 48(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/01632787241257450
  28. Lindner, K.-T., & Schwab, S. (2025). Differentiation and individualisation in inclusive education: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 29(12), 2199–2219. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1813450
  29. Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (Fourth edition). John Wiley & Sons.
  30. Mills, J. R. (2018). Effective Multi-Sensory Strategies for Students With Dyslexia. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 54(1), 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2018.1407181
  31. Mogan, S., & Mohd Yasin, M. H. (2022). Reading Skills Teaching Strategies For Students with Learning Disabilities. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(1), Pages 1030-1043. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v11-i1/12273
  32. Mumpuniarti, M., Handoyo, R. R., Phytanza, D. T., & Barotuttaqiyah, D. (2020). Teacher’s Pedagogy Competence and Challenges IN Implementing Inclusive Learning in Slow Learner. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 39(1), 217–229. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v39i1.28807
  33. Oddone, K. (2022). The nature of teachers’ professional learning through a personal learning network: Individual, social and digitally connected. Teaching and Teacher Education: Leadership and Professional Development, 1, 100001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tatelp.2022.100001
  34. Parsons, S. A., Vaughn, M., Scales, R. Q., Gallagher, M. A., Parsons, A. W., Davis, S. G., Pierczynski, M., & Allen, M. (2018). Teachers’ Instructional Adaptations: A Research Synthesis. Review of Educational Research, 88(2), 205–242. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654317743198
  35. Rahmadhani, P. R. & Emeliya Sukma Dara Damanik. (2025). Teachers’ practical experience: Improving English vocabulary of dyslexic students in regular classrooms. Leksika: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra Dan Pengajarannya, 19(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.30595/lks.v19i3.27495
  36. Rao, K., Torres, C., & Smith, S. J. (2021). Digital Tools and UDL-Based Instructional Strategies to Support Students With Disabilities Online. Journal of Special Education Technology, 36(2), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643421998327
  37. Rello, L., & Baeza-Yates, R. (2017). How to present more readable text for people with dyslexia. Universal Access in the Information Society, 16(1), 29–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10209-015-0438-8
  38. Rupley, W. H., Blair, T. R., & Nichols, W. D. (2009). Effective Reading Instruction for Struggling Readers: The Role of Direct/Explicit Teaching. Reading & Writing Quarterly, 25(2–3), 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/10573560802683523
  39. Saldana, J. (2021). The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=RwcVEAAAQBAJ
  40. Saputra, A. D., Uctuvia, V., & Susanto, A. K. (2025). Unpacking Differentiated Instruction in Indonesian EFL Classrooms: Implementation Realities and Pedagogical Barriers. 12(2).
  41. Septiani, K., Artini, L. P., & Ana, I. K. T. A. (2025). Knowledge & Treatment of Students Who are Potentially Dyslexic: Teachers� Perspectives. JEdu: Journal of English Education, 5(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.30998/jedu.v5i1.13989
  42. Silviani, A., & Mulyanto, A. (2025). Implementing Inclusive Education in Resource-Constrained Primary Schools: A Comparative Case Study of Management Strategies in West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education, 4(4), 2619–2628. https://doi.org/10.56916/jirpe.v4i4.2163
  43. Wills, R., Chenoweth, L., & Ellem, K. (2016). Disability and transition from state education to community life: Next steps for parents. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 20(5), 552–567. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2015.1095252
  44. Woodcock, S. (2021). Teachers’ beliefs in inclusive education and the attributional responses toward students with and without specific learning difficulties. Dyslexia, 27(1), 110–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1651
  45. Yin, R. K. (with Campbell, D. T.). (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (Sixth edition). SAGE Publications, Inc.