Reading Horizons gets Astounding Results in Reading Remediation

For two decades, the Reading Horizons program has taught tens of thousands of adults and youth to read. In literacy programs nationwide, even non-readers have advanced several grade levels using this interactive, multi-sensory program based on the effective Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself approach. Based on data, students average two-to-five reading grade level gains of improvement in three to six months. There is nothing childish or condescending about the program. It is interactive, fast moving, and respectful.

The Problem

Teaching phonics to older students can appear somewhat condescending, so it is important to select a program specifically designed for them. Older students need flexibility and privacy. They usually have various levels of interest in reading and limited time with a desire to learn as quickly as possible. Students may have diagnosed reading disorders and undiagnosed skill gaps.

ESL/ESOL students struggle with the need to rapidly master conversational English and the educational vocabulary necessary to pass exit exams, GEDs or other post-secondary entrance examinations and job applications. In addition, like struggling readers, ESL/ESOL students must sort out the unfamiliar sounds into pieces that make sense. They have problems perceiving and using English sounds and their corresponding letter symbols effectively.

The Solution

Unlike many approaches, Reading Horizons teaches a solid, sequential framework of phonics. Based on scientific research and Orton-Gillingham principles of multi-sensory instruction, this explicit phonics reading system provides a foundation for reading success. ‘Proving’ words using the unique Discover Intensive Phonics marking system, they learn to recognize likely and unlikely sequences of letters and develop the ability to easily break words into syllables. This empowers students with the ability to decode new and unfamiliar words with accuracy and confidence. Students are engaged and motivated through seeing their own progress. Increased progress and confidence leads to increased motivation to learn. Students will simultaneously improve spelling, vocabulary, grammar, handwriting, listening, and comprehension skills. All these needs and results combine to make Reading Horizons the perfect solution for remediation for students aged 10 through adult.

The ESL/ESOL Solution

The first step in mastering any language is learning its letter sounds. A special software component allows students to hear the sounds of the alphabet and record themselves saying the sounds. They can also see and hear how the sounds are formed with the use of live video. Research has found that when struggling foreign language students were explicitly taught the phonology of the foreign language, they were able to learn the language successfully and also improve their phonological skills. The ESL Workbook provides additional exercises and enrichment activities to reinforce concepts. Students enjoy the learning method, which helps them proceed through the course quite rapidly. Since they are continually seeing their progress, they are encouraged and have the desire to stay with the program. Reading Horizons emphasizes phonetic structure and quickly gives students the skills they need to read English. Consequently, they adjust to their new environment more easily and experience less frustration than students who are forced to learn English much more slowly. Even those with no English reading skills can succeed with this system. They simply turn on the computer and begin. No instructions need to be read.

Dr. Neil Anderson, former International TESOL president and current English Immersion director at Brigham Young University, says, "(Now) I feel able to explicitly teach phonetic skills. In most teacher preparation courses or in-service sessions, how to teach phonics is not covered. I'm very anxious to begin using this new knowledge."

The System – How Is It Done?

The primary goal of phonics instruction - learning to recognize words rapidly and automatically – can be accomplished in a variety of ways using the following components:

• Interactive, Multimedia Computer Courseware: Reading Horizons, based on the Discover Intensive Phonics approach, offers older students the privacy and flexibility of independent work with lessons designed specifically for adults reading below a sixth grade level.
• Direct-Instruction Classroom Materials: Complete classroom materials provide hands on, multi-sensory instruction that can be used independent of the computer courseware and includes special instruction for ESOL students in every lesson.
• Interactive Courseware Combined with Direct Instruction: Independent work on the computer combined with the periodic reinforcement of multi-sensory classroom practice sessions provides a mix that ensures success.

The Multimedia Computer Courseware:

Reading Horizons is a sophisticated, interactive multimedia course. The course is intended for independent student use but also correlates with any desired classroom instruction. It actively engages students in seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing and provides immediate corrective feedback. Highlights include:

• Complete administration system providing reports, assessments, and automatically generated prescriptions to specify lessons that need review.
• WRAT and Slossen Oral Written Test style assessments for reading grade level, knowledge of high frequency words, and nonsense words, four prescriptive interim tests that assess students' understanding and resets lessons where more proactive help is needed. When a student fails an interim test, a prescription is automatically generated that specifies which lessons need to be reviewed.
• Thirty interactive lessons and 40 to 60 hours of coursework that dynamically change based on proficiency and correlate with the Discover Intensive Phonics direct instruction classroom materials.
• Optional Spanish soundtrack.
• Mastery, Drill, and Practice sessions following each lesson practice word study, decoding (2,800 words), reading, and vocabulary.
• Voice recording allows students to say a word or sound and compare their pronunciation with the narrator’s.
• Lessons devoted to teaching high frequency words.
• ESL Say component shows pictures and full-motion video demonstrating tongue placement and proper pronunciation.
• Immediate, corrective feedback.

Discover Intensive Phonics Direct Instruction Classroom Materials:

The Discover Intensive Phonics instructional materials are also unique. The cost effective, non-consumable classroom materials (which correlate to the computer courseware) include:

• Two explicit, color-coded direct instruction Teacher’s Manuals designed for use with ages 10 and above.
• Appendix devoted to activity pages, Word Banks, spelling lists, enrichment activities, and black line masters.
• Wall charts, posters and flipcharts.
• Reverse Listening Cards to test student abilities at incremental skill levels.
• Student involvement book with black-line worksheets and activities to enhance learning.
• An Enrichment CD with video-enhanced guides for using the manual, recordings of the 42 Sounds, a complete set of masters for student activity pages, and enrichment activities.
• Daily online assistance and interaction with experts and teachers nationwide.
• Special ESL/ ESOL helps featuring teacher tips, student workbook and student flashcards.

Engaging, Hands-On Professional Development

One or two-days of explicit, hands-on instruction in the Discover Intensive Phonics approach provides teachers with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively teach this superb phonics system. Teachers are given training in:

• Administration and management of computer courseware, where applicable.
• Direct instruction techniques.
• Multi-sensory involvement.
• Structural analysis and use of the unique marking system used to identify word patterns.
• Making positive corrections.
• Handling exceptions.
• Use of activities to strengthen understanding.
• Use of charts, posters, flipcharts, and assessment materials.