NZ in the forefront!

Identifying and catering for dyslexic learners – and others with processing difficulties – is a major challenge for schools.

Despite average or above-average intellectual ability, these pupils often have a range of quite major processing difficulties which affect their literacy development and sometimes prevent them from accessing the curriculum at their intellectual level.

It is not uncommon in high schools to find bright pupils of 14 or 15 years of age with reading ages of seven to nine years. A reading age in this range makes it impossible for these pupils to even read (let alone effectively process) texts at the High School level. This leads to huge frustration and anxiety, which affect not only self-esteem and confidence, but often behaviour.

Until now, the only effective specialist teaching courses have needed 1:1 teaching with a specialist teacher. This is because dyslexic learners need a very multi-sensory approach and need to progress at their own individual rate. These courses have also been aimed at UK or American learners, with accompanying software in either a British or American accent.

Now, however, there is a specialist NZ scheme which caters for all pupils with remedial literacy needs (both dyslexic and non-dyslexic).

Steps to Literacy and First Steps are workbook-based courses which have a 100 per cent success rate with learners with any level of difficulty. They are currently being used by SPELD, the Seabrook McKenzie Centre, many primary and high schools throughout the country and, now, the entire Kip McGrath network of tutoring centres.

The courses are supported by a comprehensive range of game and activity resources and The Learning Staircase has just launched Steps, the first Kiwi literacy software programme (at this level!).

Steps is a major breakthrough in this field. The software supports both levels of the remedial courses, but can also be used independently to support other materials. In addition to thousands of words in existing lists, users can enter their own word lists.

The software provides comprehensive reinforcement of all aspects of reading and spelling, including using words in context.

It is easy to use and hugely enjoyable for pupils, with a variety of fun games for reinforcement.

Steps pricing makes it easily the most economical software package anywhere. Schools can purchase an unlimited schools network licence for $300 + gst per year, which also enables them to download upgrades at any point for free.

There is also a tutor version ($180) and a home user version, which is $160 (outright purchase).

Schools can contact The Learning Staircase for a month’s free trial: info@learningstaircase.co.nz or www.learningstaircase.co.nz