Serena Abdullah is the Deputy Director (Curriculum and Resource) with the English Language and Literacy (ELL) Division overseeing the development and implementation of the curriculum and resources at the DAS. She is also a Lead Educational Therapist who supports learners with dyslexia and special educational needs, including tertiary learners in Institutes of Higher Learning. Her love and passion for teaching have led her to continuously seek new and innovative teaching methods to bring out her learners’ potential and self-confidence, including developing their self-independence and resilience to overcome challenges and navigate life beyond their academic pursuits. Serena believes that every child progresses at their own pace but the process they take to reach the finishing line matters most!
QUALIFICATIONS
- Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers
- Masters of Education (Curriculum and Teaching) from Nanyang Technological University/National Institute of Education (NTU/NIE)
CONFERENCES
- Abdullah, S., Wee, R. & Salim, N. A. UNITE SpLD Conference 2017. PAPER PRESENTATION, Do Structured Writing Instruction and Writing Checklist aid Learners with Dyslexia in their Narrative Writing? An exploratory case study.
- Abdullah, S., Wee, R. & Salim, N. A. NIE Redesigning Pedagogy Conference 2017. PAPER PRESENTATION, Do Structured Writing Instruction and Writing Checklist aid Learners with Dyslexia in their Narrative Writing? An exploratory case study.
- Abdullah, S., Wee, R. & Salim, N. A. British Dyslexia Association Conference 2016. POSTER PRESENTATION, Do Structured Writing Instruction and Writing Checklist aid Learners with Dyslexia in their Narrative Writing? An exploratory case study.
- Abdullah, S. & Benjamin, I. S. UNITE SpLD Conference 2018. PAPER PRESENTATION, Teachers’ perceptions on the Explicit Teaching of Reading Comprehension to Learners with dyslexia: The Importance of Teacher Training in Ensuring Quality Delivery and Instruction.
- Abdullah, S. & Benjamin, I. S. Association for Reading and Writing in Asia 2019. PAPER PRESENTATION, Teachers’ perceptions on the Explicit Teaching of Reading Comprehension to Learners with dyslexia: The Importance of Teacher Training in Ensuring Quality Delivery and Instruction.
- Abdullah, S. & Benjamin, I. S. Language Literacy and Learning Conference 2019. PAPER PRESENTATION, Teachers’ perceptions on the Explicit Teaching of Reading Comprehension to Learners with dyslexia: The Importance of Teacher Training in Ensuring Quality Delivery and Instruction, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- Conferences: Wee, R., & Abdullah, S. UNITE SpLD Conference 2022. PAPER PRESENTATION, Executive functioning, study skills, and dyslexia-Examining the effectiveness of an online programme for upper secondary and post-secondary students.
- Wee, R., & Abdullah, S. 57th RELC International Conference 2023. PAPER PRESENTATION, Executive functioning, study skills, and dyslexia-Examining the effectiveness of an online programme for upper secondary and post-secondary students.
- Wee, R., & Abdullah, S. International Dyslexia Association Conference 2023. POSTER PRESENTATION, Executive functioning, study skills, and dyslexia-Examining the effectiveness of an online programme for upper secondary and post-secondary students.
PUBLICATIONS
- Abdullah, S., Wee, R. & Salim, N. A. (2017). Do Structured Writing Instruction and Writing Checklist Aid Learners with Dyslexia in their Narrative Writing? An exploratory case study. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences, 4(2), 213-246.
- Abdullah, S. & Benjamin, I. S. (2019). Teachers’ perceptions on the Explicit Teaching of Reading Comprehension to Learners with dyslexia: The Importance of Teacher Training in Ensuring Quality Delivery and Instruction. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences, 6(2), 304-331.
- Abdullah, S. (2022, March 18). Forum: Special needs students still need specialist support in institutes of higher learning. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-special-needs-students-still-need-specialist-support-in-institutes-of-higher-learning
- Abdullah, S. (2022, June 9). Forum: Do more to fix gaps for special needs students in higher education settings. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forumdo-more-to-fix-gaps-for-special-needs-students-in-higher-education-settings
- Wee, R., & Abdullah, S. (2023). Executive functioning, study skills, and dyslexia- Examining the effectiveness of an online programme for upper secondary and post-secondary students. Asia Pacific Journal of Developmental Differences, 10(1),65–97.
