Orton-Gillingham Approach (Reading)
Orton-Gillingham Approach (Reading)
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is an organized, multisensory method that is specifically developed to teach reading and writing to individuals with dyslexia and other learning differences. It is based on phonics, the interconnectedness of sounds and letters, and it uses various sensory channels to foster learning and memory.
What are the key components of the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach is based on several primary elements: direct instruction in phonics, a multisensory teaching approach, a structured and sequential curriculum, and personal lesson plans adjusted to the student's requirements. For instance, a lesson might feature the use of letter tiles (tactile) to say sounds out loud (auditory) and write letters on paper (visual) that make learning more effective.
Who can benefit from the Orton-Gillingham Approach?
The Orton-Gillingham Approach, which is predominantly built for the use of individuals who have dyslexia, is a method that can also be very helpful to a lot of other types of learners such as the ones who have learning disabilities, attention difficulties, or anyone who has difficulties in reading. As an illustration, children with poor phonemic awareness are able to make significant gains in their reading skills through this method because it is centered on dividing words into their constituent sounds.
How does the Orton-Gillingham Approach differ from traditional reading instruction?
In contrast to traditional reading instruction, which often depends on sight words and rote memorization, the Orton-Gillingham Approach is oriented around the perception of sound-letter connection. It adopts a more tailored and adaptable mode of teaching which permits modification in accordance with the development of each individual student. For instance, while traditional methods might teach new vocabulary by itself, Orton-Gillingham would interlace phonetic patterns for better understanding and retention.
What training is required to implement the Orton-Gillingham Approach effectively?
The successful application of the Orton-Gillingham Approach often involves training teachers through special courses of various options that include those specifically tailored to it. These training programs mostly contain instructions on solitarization of lesson plans, using multisensory techniques, and assessing students' progress. A good example of that is the fact that a lot of teachers become certified through organizations, for example, the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, thus guaranteeing that they can meet their pupils' requirements.