With an average student-teacher ratio of 22:1 across San Jose's 298 schools, classroom teachers often can't provide the individualized attention that struggling readers need. Orton Gillingham tutoring offers personalized 1-on-1 instruction tailored to your child's specific learning pace and challenges, allowing tutors to adjust pacing, provide immediate feedback, and use multisensory techniques that address the root causes of reading difficulty. This targeted approach is particularly valuable for students with dyslexia or reading gaps that haven't closed through standard classroom methods.

Orton Gillingham can benefit students at any age, but it's most effective when started as early as possible—ideally in elementary school when foundational reading skills are being developed. However, older students and even adults can still make significant progress with this approach. The key is identifying reading difficulties early; if your child is struggling with phonics, decoding, or fluency in first or second grade, that's a good time to explore Orton Gillingham instruction rather than waiting for gaps to widen.

While Orton Gillingham was originally developed to help students with dyslexia, it's beneficial for any student who struggles with phonics, decoding, or reading fluency—including those with general reading delays, language-based learning differences, or weak foundational skills. The structured, multisensory approach works well for visual learners and students who haven't responded to conventional reading instruction. Varsity Tutors connects students in San Jose with tutors trained in this method who can assess whether Orton Gillingham is the right fit for your child's specific needs.

Many students begin showing measurable progress in phonemic awareness, decoding accuracy, and reading fluency within 8-12 weeks of consistent 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction, though the timeline varies based on the severity of the reading difficulty and frequency of sessions. Sustained improvement requires regular practice and typically 1-2 sessions per week over several months. The structured, cumulative nature of the approach means that foundational skills build progressively, leading to more significant gains in comprehension and reading confidence over time.

During the first session, a tutor will typically assess your child's current reading level, identify specific areas of difficulty (phonemic awareness, letter-sound correspondence, decoding, fluency), and discuss learning history and any known learning differences. This diagnostic approach helps the tutor create a personalized instructional plan aligned with Orton Gillingham principles. You'll also discuss goals, session frequency, and what to expect as your child progresses through the structured curriculum.

The most important qualification is formal training in the Orton Gillingham method—ideally through an accredited program or certification from an organization like the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators (AOGPE). Beyond certification, look for tutors with experience working with students who have dyslexia or reading difficulties, knowledge of phonetics and linguistics, and the ability to adapt instruction to individual learning styles. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors in San Jose who have the expertise and credentials to deliver evidence-based Orton Gillingham instruction.

Home practice is essential to Orton Gillingham success because reading skills develop through consistent, spaced repetition of the structured lessons and techniques introduced in tutoring sessions. Tutors typically assign brief, focused practice activities (10-15 minutes daily) that reinforce what was taught and build automaticity with letter sounds, blending, and word patterns. Regular home practice accelerates progress and helps students apply new skills to their everyday reading, making the investment in tutoring more impactful.