Question 1

What is Orton Gillingham instruction and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Orton Gillingham is a structured, multisensory approach to reading instruction that teaches the phonetic structure of English systematically. It combines visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning to help students understand letter-sound relationships and build decoding skills from the ground up. This method is particularly effective for students with dyslexia or other reading difficulties, as it breaks reading into manageable, sequential steps rather than relying on sight words or guessing strategies.

Question 2

How does Orton Gillingham complement what Cincinnati students learn in school?

Accepted Answer

Cincinnati's 235 schools use a variety of reading approaches, but many classrooms focus on balanced literacy or whole language methods that may not address the needs of struggling readers. Personalized Orton Gillingham instruction fills that gap by providing explicit, systematic phonics instruction that works alongside classroom learning. Tutors can coordinate with your student's school to reinforce what they're learning while targeting specific areas where they need extra support.

Question 3

What reading challenges does Orton Gillingham help address?

Accepted Answer

Orton Gillingham is designed to help students who struggle with decoding, sound sequencing, letter reversals, spelling, or reading fluency. Students often benefit when they've tried other reading programs without success, or when they have dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. The structured, step-by-step approach builds confidence by showing students exactly how to tackle unfamiliar words rather than leaving them to guess or memorize.

Question 4

How is personalized Orton Gillingham tutoring different from classroom reading instruction?

Accepted Answer

In a classroom with an 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio, teachers must pace instruction for the whole group, which can leave struggling readers behind. Personalized 1-on-1 Orton Gillingham instruction moves at your student's pace, repeats concepts as needed, and adapts to their learning style. Tutors can spend entire sessions on a single concept until mastery, then move forward—something that's rarely possible in group settings.

Question 5

What grade levels benefit most from Orton Gillingham instruction?

Accepted Answer

Orton Gillingham works for students from early elementary through high school and beyond. Younger students benefit from learning foundational phonics correctly from the start, while older struggling readers can catch up by filling gaps in their decoding skills. The approach is flexible enough to meet students wherever they are—whether they're in kindergarten or college—making it effective across all ages.

Question 6

How can I track my student's reading progress with Orton Gillingham tutoring?

Accepted Answer

Tutors use systematic assessments to measure progress in phonemic awareness, decoding accuracy, reading fluency, and spelling. Many students show noticeable improvement in 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, with measurable gains in their ability to sound out unfamiliar words and read with greater confidence. Regular check-ins with your tutor will help you understand where your student started and how far they've come.

Question 7

How do I find an Orton Gillingham tutor for students in Cincinnati?

Accepted Answer

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in Orton Gillingham instruction and understand the unique needs of Cincinnati students. When you reach out, you'll be matched with a tutor whose expertise and availability fit your student's schedule and goals. You can discuss your student's specific reading challenges during the matching process to ensure a great fit.

Question 8

What should I expect in the first Orton Gillingham tutoring session?

Accepted Answer

The first session typically includes an assessment of your student's current reading level, phonemic awareness, and decoding skills. The tutor will ask about your student's reading history, any challenges they've faced, and what you hope to achieve. From there, they'll introduce the Orton Gillingham approach and begin building foundational skills, setting a clear path forward for future sessions.

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