Since Fall 2011, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese has offered modified Spanish courses for the Basic Language Sequence (SPN 101, 102, 201, and 202). These courses are designed for students who have diagnosed learning disabilities and for students who have demonstrated a significant difficulty in learning a foreign language.

The premise of this program is that students with diagnosed learning disabilities or demonstrated learning difficulties can learn a foreign language when courses are adapted to meet their learning needs.

The courses in the sequence include a similar scope and sequence to the non-modified courses, but employ a differentiated instructional approach. The approach is multi-sensory and highly structured. Instruction includes explicit phonetic and grammar explanations, while introducing concepts in a sequential and cumulative manner with consistent repetition and review.

Students may be referred to the program by an academic advisor, the Office of Learning Disability Resources, and/or a foreign language instructor. Upon referral to the program, students should contact the program coordinator, Tamise Ironstrack (at ironsttr@miamioh.edu or 513-529-4509), to discuss the program requirements and procedures for enrollment.