# SEN

/ˈsɛn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sen
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. education support

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

Stands for Special Educational Needs. It refers to children who need extra help in school because of learning or physical difficulties.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Special Educational Needs. It is a collective term used in educational policy to describe students with learning disabilities or physical impairments requiring tailored support.

- The school hired more staff to support students with SEN in the classroom.
- The local authority is reviewing its SEN provision to ensure that children with complex learning needs receive adequate funding and specialist equipment.

Usage: Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'SEN teacher' or 'SEN department'.

### 2. currency unit

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

A small unit of money used in Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, worth one hundredth of the main currency.

For teachers: A fractional unit of currency in Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, representing one hundredth of a yen, ringgit, or rupiah respectively.

- The old Japanese coin was worth only a few sen.
- Although the sen is no longer used for physical transactions in Japan, it remains a unit in financial accounting and exchange rate calculations.

Usage: In Japan, the sen is now largely obsolete in physical form but persists in stock market and foreign exchange contexts.

## Examples

- The school provides extra SEN support for students who need it.
- The local council increased funding for SEN students to ensure every classroom has a dedicated teaching assistant.
- Navigating the legal requirements for a child with SEN often requires parents to coordinate closely with both medical professionals and school administrators to secure an appropriate education plan.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.