Award-Winning Susan Barton Tutors
serving Salt Lake City, UT

Students who struggle with phonics, have been diagnosed with dyslexia, or aren't making progress with traditional reading instruction often see the most significant gains. However, the approach works well for any student who benefits from explicit, step-by-step instruction in decoding and word recognition—from early elementary through high school.

In a classroom setting with Salt Lake City's average student-teacher ratio of about 19 students per teacher, reading instruction must move at a pace that works for the majority. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction allows tutors to slow down on foundational skills, repeat lessons as needed, and adjust pacing based on your student's specific learning needs—ensuring no gaps are left behind.

Many students begin showing measurable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent, personalized instruction, though the timeline varies based on the student's starting point and frequency of sessions. Consistent practice—ideally 2-3 sessions per week—accelerates progress by reinforcing skills and building automaticity in decoding.

Susan Barton instruction is a supplemental, structured literacy approach that complements classroom reading programs rather than replacing them. It fills gaps in phonics and decoding that may not be addressed in traditional curricula, helping students apply stronger foundational skills to their grade-level classroom reading assignments.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors trained in the Susan Barton reading approach who work with students in Salt Lake City. When you reach out, you can specify that you're looking for Susan Barton instruction, and we'll match you with a qualified tutor who understands this structured literacy method and can provide personalized 1-on-1 sessions.

Sessions typically include review of previously learned concepts, introduction of new phonics or decoding skills using multisensory techniques, guided practice with decodable texts, and independent reading practice. A tutor will assess your student's progress and adjust the pace and focus based on what's working best for their learning style.

Tutors typically provide guidance on practice activities and decodable reading materials families can use between sessions. Consistent practice—even 15-20 minutes several times a week—reinforces skills taught during tutoring and accelerates progress. Your tutor will share specific strategies and resources to help you support your student's reading development at home.