When a single letter combination can have six different pronunciations it is not surprising that dyslexia exists
It is said that the notion of “dyslexia” doesn’t exist in some societies which have a written language wherein everything is written phonetically. Undoubtedly the genetic variation that causes dyslexia is still there within the population, but no one notices the effect.
But compare that with the poor English child who is faced with the letters “Ough” – a combination of letters that has six different pronunciations.
And worse, as we all know “ough” is not alone. One might think of the various ways of saying “ear”, or “ea” on its own, and of “ou” (without the “gh”).
Which is why the best way to teach spelling to those who have difficulty in grasping and memorising the rules and the exceptions has to be via a logical, step by step approach, taking in all 90 spelling and phonic rules.
In short, out of the disorder and apparent randomness comes a new order of sounds – an order that is taught through the multi-sensory approach.
Which is exactly the approach that the company Multi-Sensory Learning devised and developed through its reading and spelling rescue programme.
This programme covers all the 90 different spelling and sound rules and adds in ten sections on specific issues such as word patterns, suffixes, prefixes, homophones and irregular final syllables.
The 90 rules and associated topics can be seen on our websitewhere you can see the structured order of teaching that we have introduced.
What we have then done is broken these 100 topics down into 20 modules, presented in an order which allows students to use the spelling rules as soon as they have learned them.
As a result of this structured approach, which includes placement & progress tests, you can introduce a dyslexic pupil or student to the sequence from the very start.
But of course you don’t have to run through the whole course with your pupil or student, for you can begin with the individual revising key points before moving on to areas of weakness where his/her knowledge becomes erratic.
A copiable version of each of the 20 modules costs £29.99 or you can order five modules together on a CD for £80 plus VAT. All 20 modules are available for £450.
You can order the Reading and Spelling Rescue Programme in any of these ways:
- On our website (where you can also see full details of the programme)
- By phone on 01604 505000
- By fax to 01604 505001
- By email to info@msl-online.net
- By post to Multi-Sensory Learning, Highgate House, Creaton, Northants, NN6 8NN