11. Factors that affect learning

Having found out more about learners’ language and literacy practices, you might decide that you need to find out if there are any specific factors that have affected a learner’s ability to develop reading and writing knowledge and skills. Such factors include:

• problems with hearing or vision
• issues created because of lack of opportunity to learn (for example through irregular attendance in formal education)
• the challenges of learning English as a second language
• issues that could be associated with dyslexia. You can read more about dyslexia on page 10 of the Starting Points Assessment Guide.

A set of eliminating questions to help you check if these factors are an issue is provided in the Starting Points Assessment Guide. The eliminating questions are discussed on the next page.

Next 12. Using the eliminating questions