Skip to content
ESCO occupation

learning support teacher

Back to ESCO occupations

Learning support teachers assist students who have general learning difficulties. Learning support teachers focus on basic skills such as numeracy and literacy and thus teach basic subjects such as writing, reading, math and languages and they work for an educational institution such as a primary or secondary school. They support students in their school work, plan learning strategies, identify their learning needs and progress, and act accordingly. They can work in various educational set-ups and act as support for other teachers or manage their own class.

2352.1.3 ISCO 2352 ESCO source
Competences
58
Groups
4
Essential
22
Optional
36

Competences and skills

58 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 3 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

3 competences
assessment processes

Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.

ESCO source
curriculum objectives

The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

ESCO source
learning difficulties

The learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 19 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
provide learning support

Provide the necessary support to students with general learning difficulties in literacy and numeracy to facilitate learning by assessing the learner’s development needs and preferences. Design formal and informal outcomes of learning and deliver materials that facilitate learning and development.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

18 competences
adapt teaching to student's capabilities

Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.

ESCO source
adapt teaching to target group

Instruct students in the most fitting manner in regards to the teaching context or the age group, such as a formal versus an informal teaching context, and teaching peers as opposed to children.

ESCO source
apply intercultural teaching strategies

Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.

ESCO source
apply teaching strategies

Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners' level, goals, and priorities.

Scope note
This includes the use of teaching devices such as diagrams and other visual aids.
ESCO source
assess students

Evaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.

Scope note
The skill applies to all educational levels such as primary, secondary, post-secondary and tertiary education.
ESCO source
assist students in their learning

Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.

ESCO source
communicate with youth

Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.

ESCO source
demonstrate when teaching

Present to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.

ESCO source
encourage students to acknowledge their achievements

Stimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.

ESCO source
give constructive feedback

Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.

ESCO source
guarantee students' safety

Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.

ESCO source
identify education needs

Identify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.

ESCO source
liaise with educational staff

Communicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with the technical and research staff to discuss research projects and courses-related matters.

ESCO source
liaise with educational support staff

Communicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issues relating the students' well-being.

ESCO source
prepare lesson content

Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.

ESCO source
provide lesson materials

Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.

ESCO source
show consideration for student's situation

Take students' personal backgrounds into consideration when teaching, showing empathy and respect.

ESCO source
tutor students

Provide private, supplementary instruction to students individually to enhance their learning. Support and mentor students who struggle with a certain subject or who have learning difficulties.

ESCO source
Optional knowledge 11 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

11 competences
behavioural disorders

The often emotionally disruptive types of behaviour a child or adult can show, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

ESCO source
grammar

The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

ESCO source
language teaching methods

The techniques used to teach students a foreign language, such as audio-lingual, communicative language teaching (CLT), and immersion.

ESCO source
learning needs analysis

The process of analysing a student's learning needs through observation and testing, potentially followed by the diagnosis of a learning disorder and a plan for additional support.

ESCO source
mathematics

Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

ESCO source
primary school procedures

The inner workings of a primary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.

ESCO source
school psychology

The study of human behaviour and performance with respect to various school processes, the learning needs of young individuals, and the psychological tests accompanying this field of study.

ESCO source
secondary school procedures

The inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.

ESCO source
special needs education

The teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.

ESCO source
spelling

The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

ESCO source
teamwork principles

The cooperation between people characterised by a unified commitment to achieving a given goal, participating equally, maintaining open communication, facilitating effective usage of ideas etc.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 25 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

6 competences
assess the development of youth

Evaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.

ESCO source
assist children with special needs in education settings

Assist children with special needs, identifying their needs, modifying classroom equipment to accommodate them and helping them participate in school activities.

ESCO source
facilitate teamwork between students

Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.

ESCO source
manage resources for educational purposes

Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.

ESCO source
teach mathematics

Instruct students in the theory and practice of quantities, structures, shapes, patterns, and geometry.

ESCO source
teach writing

Teach basic or advanced writing principles to varying age groups in a fixed eduction organisation setting or by running private writing workshops.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

19 competences
apply pre-teaching methods

Teach the content of an upcoming lesson in advance to an individual or a small group of students with learning difficulties, explaining the core issues and using repetition with the goal of improving their learning.

ESCO source
arrange parent teacher meeting

Set up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.

ESCO source
assist in the organisation of school events

Provide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.

ESCO source
assist students with equipment

Provide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.

ESCO source
construct individual learning plans

Set up, in collaboration with the student, an individual learning plan (ILP), tailored to the student's specific learning needs, taking into account the student's weaknesses and strengths.

ESCO source
counsel students

Provide assistance to students with educational, career-related or personal issues such as course selection, school adjustment en social integration, career exploration and planning, and family problems.

ESCO source
escort students on a field trip

Accompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.

ESCO source
identify learning disorders

Observe and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to the correct specialised educational expert if necessary.

ESCO source
keep records of attendance

Keep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.

ESCO source
maintain relations with children's parents

Inform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.

ESCO source
oversee extra-curricular activities

Supervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.

ESCO source
perform playground surveillance

Observe students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.

ESCO source
provide teacher support

Assist teachers in classroom instruction by providing and preparing lesson materials, monitoring the students during their work and helping them in their learning where necessary.

ESCO source
recognise indicators of gifted student

Observe students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or feelings of not being challenged.

ESCO source
support gifted students

Assist students showing great academic promise or with an unusually high IQ with their learning processes and challenges. Set up an individual learning plan catered to their needs.

ESCO source
teach languages

Instruct students in the theory and practice of a language. Use a wide range of teaching and learning techniques to promote proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in that language.

ESCO source
teach reading strategies

Instruct students in the practice of discerning and understanding written communication. Use different materials and contexts when teaching. Assist in the development of reading strategies suitable for learners’ needs and goals, including: skimming and scanning or for the general comprehension of texts, signs, symbols, prose, tables, and graphics.

ESCO source
use learning strategies

Use different channels of perception, learning styles, strategies and methods to acquire knowledge, know-how, skills and competences.

ESCO source
work with virtual learning environments

Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.

digital
ESCO source