Reading should not be left to chance.
For students who struggle with literacy acquisition — including those with dyslexia — a well-designed, research-based approach can be life-changing. That’s where Structured Literacy comes in.
This method of instruction doesn’t just support struggling readers — it empowers them with the tools to truly understand how language works.
What Is Structured Literacy?
Structured Literacy is an evidence-based approach grounded in the Science of Reading. It provides explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction in all the foundational components of reading:
- Phonological and phonemic awareness
- Phonics and word recognition
- Fluency
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension
- Written expression
Unlike more incidental or discovery-based methods, Structured Literacy leaves nothing to guesswork. It teaches the structure of the English language, step-by-step, so that students develop accurate and automatic reading skills.
Why Struggling Readers Need Structured Literacy
Students who find reading difficult often do so because of:
- Weak phonological awareness
- Poor decoding skills
- Slow processing or working memory challenges
- Language comprehension issues
These are not problems that get better with time or exposure alone. Waiting can widen the gap. What they need is a method that is:
- Direct
- Predictable
- Individualised
- Research-based
That’s exactly what Structured Literacy provides.
Key Benefits of Structured Literacy as Intervention
1. Builds the Foundations — Step by Step
Each concept builds on the last, allowing students to progress with confidence. Whether it’s identifying sounds in words or spelling multisyllabic words, every skill is taught in a logical order.
2. Supports Students With Dyslexia and Other Learning Differences
Structured Literacy supports students with language-based learning difficulties, making it especially powerful for dyslexic learners. The multisensory and diagnostic nature of this approach means instruction can be tailored to individual needs.
3. Makes Reading and Spelling Decodable
English is complex — but it’s not random. Structured Literacy teaches students to decode and encode using knowledge of syllable types, sound-symbol correspondences, and word structures like roots and affixes.
4. Improves Reading Comprehension by Strengthening Word Recognition
Many struggling readers can’t comprehend texts because decoding is so effortful. Structured Literacy builds fluency and automaticity, freeing up cognitive resources for comprehension.
5. Promotes Lasting Learning
Because instruction is cumulative and mastered before moving on, Structured Literacy ensures students don’t just learn — they retain and apply their knowledge.
Structured Literacy in Action
When used as part of a 1:1 intervention program, Structured Literacy allows educators to:
- Use diagnostic assessments to tailor instruction
- Track progress consistently
- Provide error correction and immediate feedback
- Celebrate genuine, measurable growth
What Educators Are Saying
“Once I started using Structured Literacy in my sessions, my students stopped guessing and started decoding. For many of them, it’s the first time reading has made sense.”
“It gave me the confidence to know what to teach next — and my students feel more confident too.”
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, tutor, or support professional, learning how to deliver Structured Literacy intervention can change the lives of the students you work with — and reignite your confidence as an educator.
👉 Learn more about our TTL Structured Literacy Educational Therapist Course and how it can equip you with the skills and knowledge to make a real difference.
