September 29, 2026
Self-regulated reading strategies for students with ADHD in English language proficiency exams
Self-Regulated Reading Strategies for Students with ADHD in English Proficiency Exams
Alessandra Batista da Conceição Franco; Lea da Silva Veras
DOI: 10.22167/2675-6528-202602607
Article derived from a Course Conclusion Work (TCC), with content based on the student’s original work and adapted to the editorial format of the E&S Magazine with the support of the ResumeAI tool, an artificial intelligence solution developed by Instituto Pecege for textual synthesis and organization.
Summary
Proficiency in the English language is a fundamental requirement for academic and professional integration. However, students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) face challenges in reading tasks for proficiency exams, related to sustained attention, working memory, and self-regulation. The contribution of neuroscience-based pedagogical strategies, focusing on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, to the development of English reading skills in students with ADHD was investigated. The study also aimed to develop a didactic sequence to equip teachers in working with this audience, considering the use of extended time in assessments. The methodology adopted was applied in nature, with a qualitative and exploratory-descriptive approach, based on a literature review, the construction of a pedagogical scenario from teaching practice, and the elaboration of a pedagogical proposal. As a result, reading strategies were systematized that favored cognitive organization, comprehension monitoring, and efficient time use in evaluative contexts. Theoretical analysis suggested that explicit teaching of self-regulated strategies can enhance the effects of adaptations such as extended time, contributing to more inclusive and effective practices in English language teaching, as well as promoting student autonomy.
Keywords: Learning Strategies; Inclusion; English Language Reading; SRSD; ADHD.
1. Introduction
Proficiency in the English language has been consolidated as a fundamental requirement for academic and professional insertion in a globalized scenario. The growing internationalization of education, the expansion of student mobility, and the appreciation of internationally recognized certifications drive the demand for linguistic proficiency. In this context, exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, and those from Cambridge Assessment are crucial instruments for access to universities, exchange programs, and career opportunities.
However, performance in these exams goes beyond linguistic knowledge, requiring the articulated mobilization of complex cognitive processes. Reading tasks, in particular, demand sustained attention, working memory, comprehension monitoring, and effective time management (Grabe; Stoller, 2011). For students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), these demands represent additional barriers.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with the individual’s functioning or development (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Studies indicate that ADHD is associated with impairments in executive functions, such as sustained attention, working memory, and inhibitory control (Barkley, 2015; Diamond, 2013). These factors make activities that require continuous concentration and information organization, such as reading in a foreign language, particularly challenging.
In the school context, especially in high school classes preparing for proficiency exams, students with ADHD frequently face difficulties. Even with compatible linguistic knowledge, they may have trouble maintaining linear reading, selecting relevant information, sustaining attention in extensive texts, and managing available time. These difficulties compromise both global comprehension and performance in questions requiring inference and detailed analysis.
Given this scenario, inclusive adaptations, such as the granting of extended time in assessments, are frequently adopted. However, the literature indicates that increasing available time, in isolation, does not guarantee significant performance improvement (Lovett, 2010, 2013; Swanson; Hoskyn, 2001). This is because this adaptation does not directly address the specific difficulties related to reading planning, comprehension monitoring, and task execution organization, limiting its effectiveness as an equity strategy.
It is therefore essential to investigate pedagogical approaches that, in addition to evaluative adaptations, promote the development of cognitive and metacognitive strategies that favor student autonomy in reading tasks. In this sense, the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model stands out for proposing the explicit teaching of planning, monitoring, and revision strategies, integrating cognitive and self-regulatory aspects into the learning process (Harris; Graham, 2016). The relevance of pedagogical proposals that articulate theory and practice for teaching English to students with ADHD in Brazil is reinforced by recent research (Silva, 2023; Freitas, 2017).
Given this context, the present work aimed to investigate the contribution of neuroscience-based pedagogical strategies, focusing on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, to the development of English reading skills in students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in contexts of preparation for proficiency exams. Additionally, it sought to develop a didactic sequence aimed at equipping teachers to work with this audience, considering the pedagogical use of extended time in evaluative situations.
2. Material and Methods
This research was characterized as a study of an applied nature, with a qualitative approach and an exploratory-descriptive character. The methodology adopted was based on a literature review, the construction of a pedagogical scenario developed from teaching practice, and the subsequent elaboration of a pedagogical proposal. The central objective was to investigate the contribution of neuroscience-based pedagogical strategies, focusing on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, to the development of English reading skills by students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in contexts of preparation for proficiency exams, and to develop a didactic sequence to equip teachers.
The study was developed in four main stages. The first stage consisted of the construction of a pedagogical scenario, elaborated from the researcher’s teaching practice. This scenario acted as a triggering and guiding element for the pedagogical proposal, being based on recurring situations observed in the teaching of English in High School.
The structure of the pedagogical scenario contemplated the context of preparation for proficiency exams, the profile of students with ADHD, the cognitive demands of reading tasks, and the difficulties observed in evaluative situations with limited time. This scenario served as the basis for the elaboration of the didactic sequence, guiding the definition of pedagogical strategies and proposed interventions.
The second stage involved a literature review, in which national and international scientific productions were surveyed and analyzed. The search was conducted in academic databases, such as Google Scholar, SciELO, and ERIC, using descriptors in Portuguese and English, such as “ADHD”, “executive functions”, “foreign language reading”, “self-regulation”, and “SRSD”.
As an inclusion criterion for the literature review, priority was given to studies published in the last ten years, in addition to classic works in the field. Works that addressed the relationship between ADHD, reading, and learning strategies in English, focusing on the educational context, were selected in order to theoretically ground the proposal.
The literature review allowed for the systematization of the main theoretical axes that underpinned the study. It was verified that ADHD is associated with impairments in executive functions, such as sustained attention, working memory, and self-regulation (Barkley, 2015; Diamond, 2013), impacting complex cognitive tasks such as reading in a foreign language.
Additionally, the literature has pointed to foreign language reading as an activity of high cognitive demand, involving inference, comprehension monitoring, and information integration (Grabe; Stoller, 2011). The Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model was identified as a relevant approach, proposing explicit instruction in planning, monitoring, and revision strategies (Harris; Graham, 2016).
It was also found that the isolated use of extended time in assessments has limited effectiveness, requiring it to be articulated with the development of cognitive and metacognitive strategies (Swanson; Hoskyn, 2001). This information was crucial for the conception of the pedagogical proposal.
The third stage consisted of the elaboration of the pedagogical proposal, which materialized in a didactic sequence for reading in English. This sequence was based on the evidence identified in the literature and the needs described in the constructed pedagogical scenario.
The didactic sequence was structured in four main stages: reading planning, guided reading, comprehension monitoring, and review and reflection. Each stage included specific objectives, self-regulated strategies, and monitoring instruments, such as reading guides, self-assessment practices, and time control.
The reading planning stage involved defining objectives, analyzing the task, and organizing available time. In guided reading, strategies such as keyword identification, text segmentation, and guided note-taking were applied. Comprehension monitoring referred to the continuous verification of understanding throughout the reading.
Finally, the review and reflection stage comprised the analysis of the responses and reflection on the reading process developed. The pedagogical proposal included self-regulated strategies focused on planning, monitoring, and reviewing reading, as well as guidance for the pedagogical use of extended time in evaluative situations.
The fourth and final stage was the theoretical-reflective analysis and the formulation of pedagogical recommendations. An analysis of the elaborated proposal was carried out, discussing its possible contributions and limitations in the educational context. Based on this analysis, pedagogical recommendations were formulated aimed at equipping teachers for working with neurodivergent students in English language assessment contexts.
It is important to note that there was no direct application of the pedagogical proposal nor data collection with students. The focus of the work consisted of the construction and analysis of the didactic sequence. Thus, the research did not involve direct participation of human beings, not requiring submission to the Ethics Committee, remaining in the field of an investigation applied to the context of teaching the English language.
3. Results and Discussion
The results and discussion of this study were organized around three main axes, which encompassed the analysis of a pedagogical scenario built from teaching practice, the synthesis of the literature review, and the elaboration of a didactic sequence. The theoretical-reflective nature of the research allowed for the articulation of theoretical references with the construction of an innovative pedagogical proposal, intended for teaching reading in English to students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The subsequent analysis integrates the description of the developed elements with an in-depth discussion, in light of the literature, aiming to highlight the contributions, limitations, and practical implications of the pedagogical proposal.
Study of a Pedagogical Scenario Developed from Teaching Practice
The construction of a pedagogical scenario, formatted as a case study, served as a central triggering and guiding element for the developed pedagogical proposal. This approach allowed for establishing a bridge between the literature review and the complexities of teaching practice, as advocated by Yin (2015). The scenario was conceived from recurring situations observed in the researcher’s practice in teaching English as a foreign language to High School students, contextualizing preparation for proficiency exams and the profile of students with ADHD.
The pedagogical scenario described a class of approximately twenty high school sophomores, aged between sixteen and seventeen years old and with a B1 level of English proficiency. Four of these students had an ADHD diagnosis, exhibiting varied profiles of attention, organization, and autonomy. This heterogeneous classroom context, where diverse learning needs coexist, highlighted the importance of flexible and inclusive pedagogical approaches to cater to all students.
English language classes, each lasting fifty minutes, were held twice a week, focusing on the development of linguistic skills, with an emphasis on reading and interpreting texts aligned with proficiency exams. Students were frequently subjected to timed activities that required reading multiple texts and answering questions on global comprehension, identification of specific information, and inference. This pedagogical routine highlighted the high cognitive demand of foreign language reading tasks, as pointed out by Grabe and Stoller (2011).
The scenario analysis revealed that students with ADHD, despite possessing adequate linguistic knowledge, faced significant challenges in maintaining attention, organizing reading, and time management. These difficulties manifested in behaviors such as loss of focus, the need for constant rereading, and the inability to complete activities within the stipulated time. Such observations corroborate the literature that associates ADHD with impairments in executive functions, such as sustained attention, working memory, and self-regulation, which directly impact performance in complex cognitive tasks (Barkley, 2015; Diamond, 2013).
It was also verified that the concession of extended time in assessments, although a relevant inclusive measure, was not sufficient to guarantee a significant improvement in the performance of these students when used in isolation. This finding aligns with studies indicating the limitations of this adaptation when not associated with the development of cognitive and metacognitive strategies (Lovett, 2010, 2013; Swanson; Hoskyn, 2001). The lack of internal strategies to manage time and attention prevents the benefit of additional time from being fully leveraged by students with ADHD.
Literature Review Synthesis
The literature review carried out allowed the identification of three central theoretical axes that underpin the understanding of the research problem and the elaboration of the pedagogical proposal. The first axis addressed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its implications for executive functions, highlighting how difficulties in sustained attention, working memory, and inhibitory control affect performance in prolonged cognitive tasks, such as reading in a foreign language (Barkley, 2015; Diamond, 2013).
The second axis focused on reading in a foreign language as a complex cognitive process, which requires the mobilization of multiple processes such as decoding, inference, comprehension monitoring, and information integration (Grabe; Stoller, 2011). In evaluative contexts, cognitive demand is intensified by limited time, requiring not only linguistic knowledge but also the application of effective reading and time management strategies.
The third axis explored the role of self-regulated strategies in the learning process, with emphasis on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model. This model proposes explicit instruction in planning, monitoring, and revision strategies, which are crucial for the development of student autonomy and for improving performance in complex tasks, especially those that demand attentional control and organization of the reading process (Harris; Graham, 2016).
The literature also emphasized that adaptations such as extended time, although important for inclusion, have limited effectiveness when not articulated with the development of cognitive and metacognitive strategies (Swanson; Hoskyn, 2001). This gap highlights the need for pedagogical proposals that integrate the use of extended time with the teaching of self-regulated strategies, enhancing the impact on the performance of students with ADHD. Recent Brazilian research (Silva, 2023; Freitas, 2017) reinforces the urgency of adapting pedagogical practices for this audience, promoting their effective inclusion.
Didactic Sequence Structure
Based on the analysis of the pedagogical scenario and the synthesis of the literature review, a didactic sequence for teaching reading in English was developed, based on the principles of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model. This pedagogical proposal aims to equip teachers for working with students with ADHD, integrating the pedagogical use of extended time in evaluative situations.
The didactic sequence was structured in four main stages, each with specific objectives and self-regulated strategies. The first stage, called reading planning, aims to prepare the student for the task. It involves clearly defining the reading objectives, analyzing the type of exercise (multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, finding specific information), and organizing the available time, including distributing time per question. A planning roadmap is used to guide the student before starting the reading, encouraging reflection on what needs to be done and how time will be managed.
The second stage, guided reading, focuses on the application of effective reading strategies. The teacher guides the identification of keywords and cognates, in addition to teaching and modeling the techniques of
cursory reading
(quick reading for general idea) and
examination
(search for specific information). The objective is for the student to understand in which situations each strategy is most efficient and justify their choices, preventing them from being seen merely as test techniques. A text with guided marking serves as an instrument for this stage, facilitating the practical application of the strategies.
The third stage, comprehension monitoring, aims to teach the student to “think about reading” continuously. During reading, the student is encouraged to ask themselves questions, such as “Did I understand this?” or “Do I need to reread?”. A self-assessment checklist is used for the student to reflect on their understanding, identify doubts, and decide if they need to review any part of the text. The teacher should encourage interrupting reading for this monitoring, transforming questions into instruments of reflection and not just a checklist.
The fourth and final stage, review and time management, aims to improve performance in test situations. It includes conducting a timed mock exam, where students apply strategies such as skipping difficult questions and returning to them later, and reviewing answers. At the end, a reflection on “what worked” is promoted, allowing the student to evaluate which strategies were effective and which need to be improved. A time control and written reflection tool aids in this analysis, not only verifying performance but also understanding the time usage process.
This didactic sequence proposal also promotes reflection on the teacher’s role, which transcends the mere mediation of linguistic content to assume an active function in the development of cognitive and metacognitive strategies. The educator becomes a facilitator of the student’s autonomy in organizing reading and managing time, shifting pedagogical practice from an exclusively evaluative approach to a formative perspective, where the learning process is explicitly taught, monitored, and accompanied (Harris; Graham, 2016).
The analysis carried out reinforces the understanding that the development of self-regulated strategies directly acts on the cognitive processes involved in reading, offering a more profound impact than adaptations that focus only on the external conditions for task completion, such as extended time. The articulation between self-regulated strategies and the pedagogical use of extended time can, therefore, contribute to the construction of more inclusive and effective practices in teaching English as a foreign language, promoting not only access to assessment activities but also the development of skills that favor student autonomy in the learning process.
Although the proposal was not empirically applied, which constitutes a limitation of the study, its development represents a significant contribution to teaching practice. The didactic sequence, organized in the format of an application manual, offers a theoretical-practical framework for English language teachers working with students with ADHD, allowing for adaptations to different educational contexts and learning profiles. The systematization of reading strategies that favor cognitive organization, comprehension monitoring, and efficient time use in evaluative contexts is the main finding, suggesting that explicit instruction of self-regulated strategies can enhance the effects of adaptations such as extended time, contributing to more inclusive and effective practices in English language teaching, as well as promoting student autonomy.
4. Conclusion
This study investigated the contribution of neuroscience-based pedagogical strategies, focusing on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model, to the development of English reading skills in students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in contexts of preparation for proficiency exams. Additionally, it sought to develop a didactic sequence to equip teachers in working with this population, considering the pedagogical use of extended time in assessments. It was found that students with ADHD face specific challenges in timed reading tasks, impacting their performance even with compatible linguistic knowledge, due to difficulties in sustained attention, working memory, and self-regulation. It was observed that granting extended time, in isolation, has limited effectiveness in promoting substantial improvements. In response to this gap, reading strategies were systematized to favor cognitive organization, comprehension monitoring, and efficient time use in evaluative contexts. The main contribution of this work lies in the elaboration of a detailed didactic sequence, based on SRSD, which offers a theoretical-practical framework for English teachers, promoting more inclusive practices and the development of student autonomy.
Despite the relevance of the proposal, the study presented as a limitation the absence of empirical application of the didactic sequence, which prevented the verification of its effects in real teaching contexts. For future investigations, it is suggested to implement the didactic sequence in the classroom to analyze its direct impact on the performance of students with ADHD. Additionally, future research could explore the potential of digital technologies and artificial intelligence resources as support tools for the development of self-regulated reading strategies, always preserving the teacher’s protagonism and the student’s autonomy. It is considered that the articulation between self-regulated strategies and the pedagogical use of extended time can build more effective and inclusive practices in teaching English, going beyond evaluative access to foster the development of essential learning skills.
Bibliographic References
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Article originating from a Final Course Work on Inclusive Education and Diversity
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