Why choose Sounds of Reading Australia?

We can show struggling students of any age how to master the skills of literacy in a friendly, relaxed environment, with one-on-one teaching, using a method that is at the leading edge of current scientific research.

How SoR Works

SoR is the reverse of, and goes much further than, traditional phonics. Teaching is from sound to letter, not the other way round. For book and lesson prices see Books and Cost of Lessons. Right from the start, students are encouraged to listen to the sounds in words. There is a heavy emphasis on natural intonation, with the teacher modelling everything first, so that reading sounds just like speaking. This helps to demystify the process of reading and also encourages fluency.

Letter names are not used at the beginning in Sounds of Reading. Letters are referred to by the sound they make. This helps students to learn the relationship between spoken Australian English and writing.

For many children, trying to memorise flashcards of ‘sight words’ is frustrating and counterproductive. With the emphasis being on the sounds in words rather than on the letters, SoR students are taught that there is no need for ‘sight words’. In SoR, all words can be sounded out. Consequently, students never have to struggle with the arbitrary nature of ‘sight words’.

Students are taught to encode (when they hear the word first, then write down the letters) rather than just decode (when they figure out the letters and can read a word), developing confidence and fluency.

All material in SoR is presented step by step over the course of three workbooks, with constant repetition for consolidation. Sounds and sound groups are colour coded to assist students’ recognition of them, and colour images are also used extensively. Thoughtful use of colour throughout the books also aids visual learners. SoR incorporates listening, talking, handwriting, writing, spelling, vocab, reading and comprehension. It is suitable for preschoolers to adults, especially those for whom English is a second language (ESL).

The Lessons

Lessons are one on one, unless alternative arrangements are requested (for example, parents may wish siblings to attend lessons together). This way, individual needs can be better addressed, and the individual student can drive the speed with which the material is taught. In addition, the SoR program is intended to catch students up with their peers in the shortest possible time.

Each lesson runs for approximately 45 minutes, and students will typically attend once a week. For pricing and payment options see ‘Cost of Lessons’
Some tutors prefer parents to stay for every lesson, while others believe it is better to work alone with the student. You can discuss this with your child’s tutor. However, we recommend that all parents accompany students to the first couple of lessons, at least. This is so that parents become familiar with the program, and can take advantage of any opportunities outside of lessons to reinforce and consolidate the material being taught. Your SoR tutor can offer suggestions on ways this can be done.

Students are expected to bring their workbooks to each lesson, and encouraged to practise at home whenever possible. As well as being a wonderful teaching resource, the workbooks are a great reference after the student has completed the program.

Skype lessons are also available on request. This way, SoR can be used with any student, regardless of where they live, providing that the student has Internet Broadband access. The tutors can provide you with more information on this service.