Saint Joseph University

Alaa GHANDOUR

Chargé de Cours - Vacataire - PhD in cognitive science, psychology & Neurocognition

Higher Institute of Speech and Language Therapy (ISO)
Center for Diagnosis, Therapy and Research in Speech and Language Therapy (CDRO)

(+961) 1 421 000 ext alaa.ghandour1@usj.edu.lb

Alaa Ghandour, Ph.D. Candidate Alaa Ghandour is a speech language therapist and a Ph.D. candidate in cognitive psychology, specializing in the science of reading with a particular interest in the Arabic language, within a joint doctoral program between the Université Grenoble Alpes in France and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco. Holding a Masters in Speech and Language Therapy from Saint-Joseph University of Beirut, Alaa explores various aspects of reading acquisition, including morphological awareness, orthographic complexity, and other cognitive and linguistic factors influencing reading in Arabic. As the founder of Ta Mabsouta LLC, Alaa develops educational and therapeutic resources for speech therapists, teachers, and parents to support individuals with language, speech, and reading challenges. Their research aims to deepen the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of reading acquisition, emphasizing evidence-based approaches. Alaa teaches courses on multilingualism, literacy, and cognitive psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels and actively supervises research theses in speech and language therapy.

+ Degrees

• Master en orthophonie
• Diplome d'orthophonie

+ Teaching experience at USJ

- Introduction to Arabic Literacy: A subsection of the course Introduction to Literacy Development," for second-year Speech Language Therapy students (English Department). - The Role of Morphology in Reading: Lecture within the course "Multilingualism and Written Language," taught by Dr. Gilles Leloup for Master’s students in Speech and Language Therapy (French Department). - Multilingualism and Written Language: Full course for Master’s students in Speech and Language Therapy (English Department).

+ Teaching experience outside USJ

Learning and Cognition (Apprentissage et cognition): A comprehensive course giving in-depth insights into cognition and learning concepts in the context of social sciences - third-year students in the Bachelor's program of Mathematics and computer science applied to the human and social sciences (MIASHS) - Mathematics, computer science and cognitive sciences branch.

+ Professionnal experience outside USJ

Provided assessment, diagnosis, and speech therapy rehabilitation for patients of various ages and conditions. Offered parental support and collaborated with healthcare teams and schools. Supervised speech therapy interns.

+ Expertise field

Medecine and Health

+ Research topics

- Reading acquisition in the Arabic language - Morphological awareness reading in Arabic - Visuo-attentional skills and reading acquisition - Cognitive training and the development of reading skills

+ Publications and communications

- Scientific Article (Submitted): The influence of visual attention on letter recognition reading acquisition in Arabic - A. Ghandour, E. Trouche, D. Guillo & S. Valdois - Oral Presentation (December 2024): Identifying the Cognitive Underpinnings of Arabic Reading Acquisition to Inform Teaching Practice, European Network for Teaching Arabic (ENTA-6), Leiden University, Netherlands - Poster (June 2023): The effect of visuo-attentional training on the acquisition of reading in the Arabic language, International Workshop on Reading and Developmental Dyslexia (IWORDD), San Sebastian, Spain

+ Awards and recognition

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