Olivier, TillaWilliams, Evelyn2017-09-042017-09-042006Olivier, T. & Williams, E. (2006). Teaching mentally disabled learners. Acta Academica, 38(3), 223-245.0587-2405 (print)2415-0479 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/11660/6736English: This investigation focused on the “special” (different from mainstream education) nature of special education and teachers’ experiences of the challenges of teaching the mentally disabled learner. The aim was to investigate the nature of the experiences of teachers of mentally disabled learners and what guidelines can be provided for them. A qualitative study with a descriptive, explorative, subjective and contextual research design was chosen, using a phenomenological approach to data collection. This report of the findings may serve as a basis for guidelines to teachers.Afrikaans: Hierdie ondersoek fokus op die “spesiale aard” van spesiale opvoeding (dus anders as hoofstroomonderwys) en die ervarings van onderwysers met betrekking tot die uitdagings wat hulle in die gesig staar as hulle die verstandelik gestremde kind onderrig. Die doel was om onderwysers se ervaring van hulle onderrig aan die verstandelik gestremde kind en riglyne in hierdie verband te ondersoek. ’n Kwalitatiewe studie, met ’n beskrywende, ondersoekende, subjektiewe en kontekstuele navorsingsontwerp is gekies waarin van ’n fenomenologiese benadering tot dataversameling gebruik gemaak is. Die verslag van die bevindings dien as grondslag vir riglyne aan onderwysers.enSpecial educationChildren with mental disabilities -- EducationMentally disabled learnersTeachersArticleUniversity of the Free State