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physical barriers. Learning disabilities affect facial expression and body lan-
our learning process. Difficulty in reading and guage is called non-verbal learn-
writing can be a cause of ineffective learning. ing disability.
f Oral/written language disorder-
Social and cultural backgrounds can affect when a person finds it difficult to
our learning process. Peer pressure can change understand what they read. This
your enthusiasm to learn. Also, those coming is called Specific reading compre-
from a financially poor background will be hension deficit.
pressured to earn money rather than give
importance to education. Lack of access to
information due to age or finances, inability to First generation learner
travel for education are all barriers to learning.
In education there is always an external
Lack of confidence in their own skill and support system, which helps us in our growth.
negative experiences in the learning process There are many illiterate families in the soci-
can affect one’s interest in education. They ety. The first-generation students who receive
won’t be interested in learning due to their education will not have any learning support
previous experiences. These are emotional from the family. As they are uneducated, the
barriers. Unidentified learning disabilities are family members will not be able to support the

also an emotional barriers. first learner in the family.
2�1�3�1 Learning disability Linguistic barrier

Learning disabilities may be due to genetic Everyone is, seemingly, fluent in speaking
or neurobiological factors causing difficulties English. If the medium of education is English,
in learning. These problems can interfere with as it is the globally accepted language, people
basic learning skills such as reading, writing or who are not fluent in this language may find it
working with numbers. These symptoms can difficult to understand. Students from varied
be diagnosed during school. backgrounds and those who use different
mother tongues will not be able to follow the
Learning disabilities should not be confused
with learning problems related to visual, hear- language.
ing, emotional, or mental disabilities. People Students who study in different countries for
with learning disabilities may have low or high higher education and better opportunities often
intelligence. Learning disability is an umbrella find it difficult to follow the pronunciation and
term used for a number of other difficulties. tone of a new place. Sometimes they may also
find it difficult to follow the language.
Types of learning disabilities
Physical barrier
f Dyscalculia: It is the difficulty in
learning with numbers. The physical distance can also be a bar-
f Dysgraphia: when someone finds rier. If the person has to travel long distances
it difficult to write, a problem that to learn, it will be difficult for them to con-
affects a person’s handwriting tinue their education. Transport facilities and
ability is called dysgraphia. finances can also be barriers to learning.
f Non-verbal learning disability-
finding difficulty in coordinating Technological unawareness

54 SGOU - FYUGP - SLM - English for Communication