“Teaching begins with the basics and rebuilds the learning continuum step-by-step. Academic Language Therapy starts from ground zero so that no gaps remain in the student’s understanding of language structure. Students learn systematic strategies for decoding (word identification), encoding (spelling), and letter formation.”
Marvelous Kidz employs Academic Language Therapy through a multi-sensory language approach, namely “Sounds in Syllables” developed by Sandra Dillon.
Academic Language Therapy is diagnostic and prescriptive. Students’ successes and challenges during one lesson inform the planning of subsequent lessons. Academic Language Therapy is cumulative, systematic, structured instruction that is written and planned for a particular student, or group of students, and is delivered by an educator with comprehensive training.
In structured literacy, teachers review previously taught concepts in each lesson and introduce new material to keep the student stimulated and engaged.
Following the advice of Margaret Rawson, a pioneer in the field of dyslexia education, academic language therapists guide their students to progress “as fast as they can but as slow as they must.”
