While Salt Lake City schools with their 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio focus on whole-class reading instruction, Orton Gillingham tutoring provides personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to each student's specific learning needs and pace. Tutors using this approach can spend dedicated time on foundational skills like phonemic awareness and sound-symbol relationships, adjusting lessons based on how your student learns best. This individualized attention is especially valuable for students who need more intensive support than classroom instruction can provide.

Orton Gillingham can be effective for students from early elementary through high school, depending on their reading level and specific needs. The approach works well for younger students just beginning to struggle with phonics, as well as older students who need to remediate foundational skills they may have missed. A tutor can assess where your student is and design a program that meets them at their current level, whether they're in 2nd grade or 10th grade.

While Orton Gillingham was originally developed for students with dyslexia, it's beneficial for any student struggling with reading, including those with general reading delays, phonics gaps, or decoding difficulties. The systematic, structured approach works well for students who haven't responded to standard classroom instruction and need a more explicit, step-by-step method. Many students without a dyslexia diagnosis benefit significantly from this approach.

Most students begin showing measurable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent tutoring, though the timeline varies based on the severity of reading difficulties and frequency of sessions. Significant improvements in decoding accuracy, fluency, and confidence typically emerge over 3-6 months of regular instruction. The key is consistency—students who meet weekly and practice between sessions see the most dramatic gains.

The first session focuses on assessment and building rapport. A tutor will evaluate your student's current reading level, identify specific areas of difficulty (like phonemic awareness, decoding, or fluency), and understand their learning style and interests. This information helps the tutor design a customized Orton Gillingham program that addresses your student's unique needs and keeps them engaged throughout the learning process.

Orton Gillingham provides foundational phonics and decoding skills that complement and strengthen classroom reading instruction. Rather than conflicting with school curriculum, tutoring fills gaps in foundational skills that allow students to access grade-level content more successfully. Tutors can coordinate with classroom teachers to ensure the personalized instruction supports what students are learning in school while addressing their specific reading challenges.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors experienced in Orton Gillingham instruction who understand the approach's systematic structure and can adapt it to your student's needs. When you reach out, you can specify that you're looking for Orton Gillingham expertise, and you'll be matched with a tutor qualified to deliver this specialized instruction. This personalized matching ensures your student gets instruction from someone with the right training and experience.