Effectiveness of a Training Program Based on Short Stories for Developing Language Skills in Elementary School Students with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a training program based on short stories to develop the language skills of elementary school students with learning disabilities. The study employed a quasi-experimental method, with a sample consisting of 12 students with learning disabilities from elementary schools in the Riyadh Educational Administration. These students were intentionally selected, with their ages ranging between (10-11) years, an average age of (10.42) years, and a standard deviation of (0.515). The sample was divided into two groups: an experimental group (n=6 students) and a control group (n=6 students). The study's tools included a language skills scale for students with learning disabilities at the elementary stage and the training program based on short stories, both prepared by the researcher. The results of the study showed statistically significant differences at the (0.01) level between the mean rank scores of the control and experimental groups in the post-test of the language skills scale and its sub-dimensions (reading, writing, listening, speaking) in favor of the experimental group. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences at the (0.05) level between the mean rank scores of the experimental group in the pre-test and post-test for the total score of the language skills scale and its sub-dimensions, in favor of the post-test. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the mean rank scores of the experimental group in the post-test and the follow-up test of the language skills scale and its sub-dimensions, indicating the stability of the program’s effect one month after its implementation.