Learning Language
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Feel confident when you read, write, and spell.
The English language is complex. We speak it, write it, spell it, and read it every day. But before we can master those skills, we need to understand how language works.
If your child is struggling with reading, spelling, or comprehension, Educational Therapy Center (ETC) can help. Using the Orton-Gillingham Approach, we build strong language skills through step-by-step, multisensory instruction.
Vocabulary
Definition: Knowledge of words and their meanings.
A strong vocabulary is the foundation of reading and writing success. At ETC, we grow vocabulary through:
Student-friendly definitions.
Multiple exposures to new words.
Teaching prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
Using words in meaningful contexts.
When children understand words they already know orally, they can recognize them in print. For unfamiliar words, we teach strategies to unlock meaning.
Goal: Expand your child’s vocabulary so they can read with confidence and comprehension.
Fluency
Definition: The ability to read, speak, and write smoothly and expressively.
Fluent readers:
Read quickly and accurately.
Use rhythm, intonation, and phrasing.
Pay attention to punctuation.
Understand what they read.
We help students:
Recognize letters and letter groups quickly.
Learn frequent words by sight.
Grasp phrases as wholes for smoother reading.
Phonics
Definition: Connecting letters and sounds to form words.
Phonics is essential to decoding. Without it, reading becomes guessing.
We check if your child can:
Identify letters by sight and sound.
Match letters with correct sounds.
Blend sounds smoothly into words.
We also answer tricky spelling and phonics questions such as:
When do you use “ay” instead of “ai”?
Why does “i” sound different in fish vs. ice cream?
Phonemic Awareness
Definition: The ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken language (without print).
Skills include:
Rhyming and chanting.
Counting syllables.
Isolating sounds in words.
Even before children connect sounds to letters, they can learn to blend sounds to hear words and pull words apart into sounds.
Reading Comprehension
Definition: Understanding the ideas and facts in a text.
Fluency and comprehension go hand in hand. We focus on both to build lasting skills.
Did you know?
74% of children who are poor readers in 3rd grade will still struggle in 9th grade — unless they get proper instruction.
At ETC, we help students become strategic readers who understand, remember, and enjoy what they read.
Ready to strengthen your child’s language skills? Schedule a Skills Assessment Today.