Turnabout in Schools
Reading programmes based on phonics and traditional reading practice will not succeed for many pupils until the underlying causes of their learning difficulties are redressed. Learning through phonics requires a capable auditory memory and for many pupils until this is improved they will not respond effectively to phonics teaching.
Recognition of common English words requires an effective visual memory. Pupils with a weak visual memory will struggle to read effectively however much additional support and teaching they receive.
The Turnabout Programme strengthens the auditory and visual memory and other mental characteristics that hold back learning, particularly literacy skills.
Following three months of Turnabout training, schools find that their pupils are able to make good progress in literacy skills and are able to retain what they have learned. Many pupils with learning difficulties have advanced their reading ages by several years after only three or four months on the programme.
Turnabout requires three one-to-one twenty minute sessions a week for twelve weeks.
Wide range of difficulties
The Turnabout Programme is applicable to pupils who have the range of difficulties associated with dyslexia. For some the condition is severe and they have failed to learn to read. These pupils cannot recognise or remember many letters or words nor can they remember the main spelling rules.
Hard to move pupils
Turnabout is also very suitable for the greater number of children typically classified by schools as ‘hard to move’. Some have learned to read albeit later than others but cannot write properly and cannot remember spelling rules. Some pupils can spell verbally but are unable to write the word down accurately.
Age applicability
Turnabout is suitable for secondary school students and primary school pupils from Year 2 upwards
The Turnabout Programme is also directly beneficial for children with concentration and behavioural issues associated with Attention Deficit disorders.
I have started to read books at home.. Reading Harry Potter and now on third book . Didn’t read own books before, just the school reading books. Now recognise words rather than having to work them all out. Spelling has improved so can read better and recognise the words.
