Readable Blog

We’re excited to introduce this week’s Feature Spotlight: Fluency Builders! Designed to empower students in developing reading fluency, this activity aims to increase the number of words read correctly per minute—an essential skill for lifelong literacy.

In a recent article from Education Week, educators express growing concerns about older students still struggling with basic reading skills. These challenges can create bottlenecks in their overall academic progress and future opportunities. The reality is stark: older students, when behind in reading, often require intense interventions, which can drain valuable time from teachers and students alike. However, solutions like Readable English are helping to shift this narrative, offering more than just a quick fix — ultimately they are gifting time, agency, and hope to both students and educators.

Reading intervention for older students has long been one of the most challenging aspects of education. As highlighted in a recent article by The New York Times (www.nytimes.com/2024/08/29/nyregion/older-students-reading-instruction), older students often struggle with reading because traditional approaches to literacy instruction are primarily designed for younger children. This disconnect creates a significant barrier to effective intervention for students who fall behind in their reading skills during middle or high school.

In the journey of education, the ability to read is often heralded as the gateway to knowledge, empowerment, and success. Yet, for many children, this seemingly straightforward task can present formidable challenges. As educators and parents, understanding the intricate connection between cognitive load theory and a child's ability to read is crucial in ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or cognitive capacity, has the opportunity to unlock the world through literacy.

The English language can be mastered… or can it? With the understanding of a few English idiosyncrasies, you soon learn that the language makes no sense at all.

Native English speakers seem to be able to pick up the oddities and mimic them well. But for non-English speakers trying to speak the language, it’s not long before they are scratching their heads in bewilderment.

When changing one letter changes the sound of a word, silent letters disrupt phonetics, homophones sound the same without being so, and odd phrases make literally no sense, confusion can prevail.