PhD Study : Supporting Children with Dual needs of EAL (English as an additional Language) and ASD (Autism spectrum disorder).

Apply and key information  

Summary

This research focuses on the issues and challenges involved in supporting children with the dual needs of EAL and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). According to the Department of Education in 2018/19, Northern Irish schools have 15,906 Newcomer pupils who have English as an Additional Language (EAL) and of this number, 177 of these children also have a Special Educational Need (SEN) and are in special schools (DE, 2018).

The 2015 SEN Code of Practice states that “schools should look carefully at all aspects of a child or young person’s educational development to establish whether lack of progress is due to limitations in their command of English or if it arises from SEN (Special Educational Needs) or a disability (DE, 2015).”

The study will focus on Special Schools in Northern Ireland and may include: the challenges of supporting pupils with ASD-EAL needs; the extent to which the needs of pupils with ASD-EAL are met; the ways and extent to which teachers, specialists and parents work together to meet the individualized needs of these pupils;  the ways of distinguishing between EAL and language impairment due to ASD and whether using more than one language hinders their language impairment or helps it.

The project is primarily exploratory and may lead to semi-ethnographic research. This project is innovative as it gives voice to voices normally unheard in NI, that is, SEN pupils who come from another culture and who use a language other than English on a daily basis, and their parents who are dealing with the challenge of supporting their SEN child in a culture and language which is not their own. It also gives space for the joint dialogue of teachers, health professionals and parents – their voices, together, are also largely unheard.

If you are interested in any of the above topics, please feel free to contact Dr Skinner b.skinner@ulster.ac.uk for further discussion.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
  • Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • For VCRS Awards, Masters at 75%
  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
March 2020

Preferred student start date
September 2020

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Barbara Skinner

Other supervisors