To help improve your student's comprehension, tell him to keep a reading journal and write in it while reading. After your student reads a chapter or paragraph have him stop and journal about what he just read. Ask him to answer questions like "What does this mean?" and "How does this connect to what I read before?" For added comprehension, have him summarize a small section of his reading by putting it in his own words.
To deal with the stress of not knowing the answer and being unable to respond -- something that students with receptive language skills struggle with -- create a synonym word find. Don't make it too elaborate and include about 10 to 15 words. In the word find, include synonyms to the clue words. Ensure that the synonyms are not obscure. The puzzle should be completed in less than 30 minutes.
Students with receptive language difficulties struggle with understanding directions. Order It Right is a role-playing game you can do with your student or two students can do together. Pretend you are at a restaurant and you are a fastidious customer. Order your meal with a particular set of cooking directions and modifications. Have your student be the waiter, and have him take down your order and repeat it. Doing this role-playing game with a set of props, such as a menu, table, plastic tumbler, pen and pad, can make this game more interesting.
This is another activity you can do with your student to help her deal with a task that includes following several directions. Orally give your student directions on how to fold an origami object, such as an origami swan. Fold the swan at the same time the student is attempting to fold her swan -- that way you are modeling the right response. If your student starts falling behind or getting confused, ask her to write down your directions step by step and number them one, two, three and so on. Give short simple directions.