Contradictions around differentiation for pupils with dyslexia learning E nglish as a F oreign L anguage at secondary school

This article deals with differentiation of teaching methods and extra time in class for pupils with dyslexia by E nglish as a F oreign L anguage ( EFL ) teachers in two G reek state secondary schools. Activity theory is applied to analyse the contradictions that emerge around the issue of differentiation for pupils with dyslexia from data compiled from interviews with teachers, pupils and parents and field notes from lesson observations across two schools. The analysis shows that contradictions are created when participants try to achieve their goals for differentiation by lack of teachers’ knowledge, inadequate diagnosis, unclear school and Ministry policy, short duration of lessons and the number of pupils in class. The findings suggest the necessity of teacher training in dyslexia and the improvement of school and Ministry policy.