Common Reading Questions
About Our Program

Anyone who can speak English can be taught to read with our program. Even when students have failed in other programs, they succeed here because we teach all the phonics rules in bite-sized, logical steps.  For more information, read How Complicated Is Reading?

Phonics is just knowing when and why letters make the sounds they do.  About 80% of English words are either phonetic or have large phonetic components.  Reading phonetically not only leverages the brain's natural abilities but also allows people to read a wide range of words.  For more information, read Why Use Phonics? 

To answer that question, read this article.

This depends on the child's maturity and their desire to read.  The Puritans taught their children to read between the ages of 2 and 4. In many countries today, children are often not taught to read until they enter school between the ages of 5 and 7. However, for most children, learning to read can and probably should happen before they enter school. For children who can sit and listen for short periods, a formal reading instruction session tailored to the child’s ability and attention level can be structured. For others, instruction can be informal, with bits of information presented in song or other entertaining ways throughout the day. Over time, a wise and patient parent may be able to have their child reading without the child even realizing it. 

The desire to read can be enhanced when a child sees their parents reading books for their own enjoyment and is frequently read to with age-appropriate books. Children will usually value what their parents value.

 For more information, read The Best Age To Teach Reading.

The student will be able to read the vast majority of words in the English language, and his/her comprehension will be at or above his/her age level. Their spelling skills will also have improved as they have learned phonetic reading. At the end of the course, the student will have a complete binder containing all the rules and reading words they have learned, to refresh their memory from time to time.

No. The student will be fully trained in reading. The completed binder has all the “refresher” material needed.  Some students do return for a 'refresher' with an instructor or practice reading, but this is a personal choice.

The amount of time depends on the student's ability, maturity level, and desire. The average student completes the entire course in 60 hours of instruction.  Some students complete it quicker; others take much longer.  Regular practice of reading at home and following our lesson tips will help your child complete the course more quickly.

Ideally, students should come for two to three hours a week. This allows most students to progress quickly through the program, requiring less time for review. However, one hour a week also works. For younger children or children with short attention spans, sessions can be half-hour sessions.  Read these tips to get the most out of your reading lesson time.

No. There are no contracts. You pay for the lessons as you use them. You may stop at any time without penalty. You will be charged if you book a lesson and then fail to "show up" without giving 24 hours' notice. To receive the maximum benefit, you need to complete the course, but the choice is always yours.

Before being accepted into the program, students need to know the alphabet letters in the correct order and be able to speak English.

During the program:

1.  Students are required to be prompt.  For in-house students, parents are welcome to sit in on the classes or relax in our living room. If parents choose to leave the premises during the lesson, they must return promptly to pick up the student.  Parents may be required to stay if the student learns better in their presence.

2.  Students are required to spend 5 minutes a day reviewing their rule cards.

3.  Parents are required to spend a minimum of 15 minutes a day reading with their child.  In the beginning, the parent will read as the child follows along; later, the child will do most of the reading.  Reading material is at the parents' discretion, but should be of interest to the child.  If a parent cannot make this commitment for at least 4 days a week, another program may be better suited to their needs.

4.  Your money and our time are valuable.  If a student is consistently unfocused or inattentive during class, the parent or instructor may cancel future lessons.  Any money paid for unused lesson time will be refunded.

For the answer to that question, read this article.

We teach out of our home in Vernon, BC, and, for older students, online classes are an option.  Appointments must be booked in advance.

The initial reading assessment is FREE for Vernon students [long-distance students may have a small charge], and there is no obligation or pressure to enroll. The decision is totally yours. Use the contact button to book your appointment. The assessment usually takes less than 15 minutes.

The hourly rate is currently $65, but may change without notice.  Students currently enrolled in the program will not experience price increases.  Payment is due on or before lesson time.  [Remember, this is not tutoring. This is a structured program with a beginning and an end.  Think of what you pay your mechanic or hairdresser, and remember you are acquiring a lifetime skill.  You will never need us again once you have completed the course.]

Adults and older students can take the course online. You will need the following items:

1. A computer with a microphone [built-in is fine], webcam and speakers, although a headset is the best,
2. A printer,
3. Access to Zoom,
4. An email address,
5. A mailing address,
6. A credit card.
7. A reliable high-speed Internet connection and a quiet workplace.

For children, a parent must "sit in" during lesson time.

See our comments on English as a Second Language.

Payment is due before each lesson. If you are attending in person, you may pay by cash, e-transfer [Canada only] or PayPal [via computer at home or the Reading Center]. If you are a long-distance student, you may pay by PayPal [Stripe may be added in the future].  You do not need to have a PayPal account to pay, only a Credit Card.  The payment link is on our Lessons page.