FAQ

  • How is OG different from regular reading instruction?

    OG breaks reading and spelling down into clear, teachable steps. Instead of memorizing words, students learn how English works—sounds, patterns, spelling rules, and syllable types. Lessons build logically, and skills are reinforced in multiple ways (visual, auditory, tactile).

  • How often should my child have OG tutoring?

    Most children benefit from at least two sessions per week. Consistency matters because OG builds skills step by step. Some students who are significantly behind may benefit from more frequent instruction.

  • How long does it take to see progress?

    Every child is different, but parents typically notice improvement in confidence and foundational skills within 6–12 weeks. Reading fluency and spelling gains often show more slowly because they require cumulative skill-building.

  • Should tutors and teachers blend Orton-Gillingham with other programs?

    Many tutors/educators blend OG with other phonics or literacy programs, often with good intentions, but mixing approaches can weaken the effectiveness of Orton-Gillingham. OG is designed to be explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic, following a very specific sequence that builds reading and spelling skills step-by-step. When tutors/educators add in unrelated phonics programs, leveled readers, guessing strategies, or materials that aren’t aligned with structured literacy, the instruction becomes inconsistent and less effective, especially for struggling readers or students with dyslexia.

    Students get the best results when a tutor uses true, uninterrupted OG—not a hybrid approach.

  • Does Orton-Gillingham Align with the Science of Reading?

    Yes. Orton-Gillingham is one of the earliest structured literacy approaches and is fully aligned with the principles of the Science of Reading. Both emphasize:

    While OG begins with word-level skills, it also incorporates vocabulary, text reading, comprehension strategies, and writing.

  • What is the Science of Reading?

    The Science of Reading is a large body of research that explains how the brain learns to read and which teaching methods are most effective. It shows that children need explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. This research supports structured literacy approaches, like Orton-Gillingham, which teach reading in a clear, logical, and evidence-based way.