UDL — Universal Design for Learning — gets mentioned a lot in education circles. But what does it actually look like when you're sitting with a student working through an English text?
The three principles of UDL
UDL is built on three core ideas: multiple means of representation (how information is presented), multiple means of action and expression (how students demonstrate understanding), and multiple means of engagement (what motivates and sustains learning). In English, this means we don't assume every student learns best by reading silently and writing an essay.
Representation: more than just reading the text
For many students — especially those who are neurodiverse — reading a novel or article straight through can be overwhelming. UDL-informed tutoring might involve listening to an audiobook version, using graphic organisers to map the narrative, or discussing key ideas verbally before engaging with the written text. The goal is access, not accommodation.
Expression: beyond the five-paragraph essay
Not every student demonstrates understanding best through a formal essay. UDL encourages us to let students express their thinking in different ways — through discussion, visual mapping, annotated texts, or structured oral responses — before funnelling that thinking into written form. This builds genuine comprehension rather than surface-level compliance.
Engagement: finding the hook
Sustained engagement is hard to manufacture. UDL asks us to find what genuinely interests a student and use that as an entry point. A student who loves sport might engage with persuasive writing through a sports commentary lens. A student who loves gaming might find narrative structure easier to understand through game storytelling. The content is a vehicle — the skill is the destination.