This webinar is part of the IH Celebration of Diversity series.
Speaker: Boelo van der Pool
Session Abstract: For years, neurodiverse learners—those with dyslexia, ADHD, or autism—have quietly slipped through the cracks of traditional language teaching. Not because they can’t learn, but because most schools just aren’t set up for how their brains work.
Here’s the big eye-opener: around 20% of the population is neurodiverse, and shockingly, most of them aren’t even diagnosed yet. That means your school probably has more neurodiverse students than you realise—and more are coming through your doors every year as diagnoses increase and awareness grows.
We’ve just wrapped up two big bits of research: one with parents of neurodiverse kids about their experiences in language schools, and another across IH schools to see how prepared we really are for this shift. The results? Eye-opening.
Join us for this practical, eye-level webinar where we’ll share the insights, spotlight what’s working, and give you clear steps to make your school more inclusive and more competitive. Because neurodiversity isn’t a problem to fix—it’s an opportunity to lead.
Speaker Bio: Boelo is a Dutch language educator who’s called Spain home for the past 30 years. With 25+ years of experience running a successful language school, leading international education projects, and training teachers, he now focuses on helping neurodiverse students thrive in language learning.
As someone with both dyslexia and ADHD, Boelo brings a unique perspective to the classroom—and to teacher training. He’s the creator of the Dyslexia Smart Teachers approach, which has already helped hundreds of students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism unlock their English learning potential.
Now, he’s on a mission to share those tools with language teachers and schools worldwide.
What is the IH Celebration of Diversity?
It is a series of engaging and educational events, featuring presentations and interactive seminars led by voices from around the language teaching industry. These sessions are thoughtfully crafted to equip you with the tools and confidence to apply EDIB principles in your role, as a teacher, administrator, or industry professional.
