When Bernelle graduated from DAS in 2021, she carried with her a powerful lesson: that with patience, practice, and the right support, she could overcome challenges that once held her back. Today, she continues to grow academically and personally, embracing opportunities she never imagined before.

Early Literacy Challenges 

Prior to DAS, Bernelle struggled deeply with spelling and reading. She relied heavily on memorising words as phonetic spelling did not come naturally to her. This became increasingly difficult as she progressed through school. Even when she was placed in extra reading classes, she still found it challenging to read and understand texts. These experiences often left her feeling stuck and frustrated.

Learning At Her Own Pace

After Bernelle started attending lessons at DAS, she found herself gradually learning how to read and spell better. She was learning spelling rules and language structures that were not explained in school. In fact, the lessons at DAS were slower, clearer and focused on her specific skills which allowed her to absorb content better.

She recalls her classes with warmth and appreciation, especially as she had one consistent teacher throughout her journey, Mr Andy Wang.

“He was very patient and kind, and he always explained things very well. The lessons were interesting, and that helped me engage better.”

His steady guidance provided Bernelle with the tools she needed to decode words, understand texts, and feel confident in her English skills.

Embracing New Challenges

After graduating from DAS, Bernelle carried her strong foundational skills with her into secondary school. She continued to apply what she learned, building on the basics and exploring new areas of learning.

One of her proudest milestones came when she decided to take on a new challenge: picking up a third language through the Malay Special Program (MSP). Her hard work paid off when she received the Third Prize (Secondary 1, 2024) award from MOELC.

This accomplishment represents her perseverance and how she has transformed a once-intimidating subject into something she truly enjoys.

A Journey of Progress

When Bernelle looks back on how far she has come, she feels proudest of her progress in spelling and reading. Once an activity that brought her tons of frustration, reading is now a hobby she genuinely enjoys and has grown to love. “I used to despise reading because I struggled with it so much. Now, I actually enjoy it”, she says.

Bernelle’s next goal is to enter junior college and make new friends in her future classes! 

A Message of Encouragement to Fellow Students with Dyslexia 

To her peers at DAS, Bernelle offers heartfelt advice: “Dyslexia should never be the excuse to stop you from learning a language well. You are stronger than you think you are.”

Her journey serves as a reminder that with the right support and determination, every learner can grow one step, one word, one breakthrough at a time.

Whether you are a parent or a past DAS student, if you have a story to share, reach out to us at [email protected]

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