How would YOU teach an adult to read?

[brysgal]

Background: J, a 30yo man at our church was brought up in inner city Detroit. Both parents were drug dealers. They claimed to "homeschool" their kids to get out of bringing them to school.  :crying: Dad died when he was 14. Mom entered rehab when he was 21 and became a Christian. Now all 3 (adult) kids and Mom are totally different people; they moved out of Detroit to our city to get a better start. J is a great guy, smart, and a hard worker...but he can't read, so has no GPA or drivers license. 

We have people in our church willing to teach him, but not sure what book/program/curriculum to use. 

Would any of you lovely ladies have some suggestions or advice? Thank you!!  :grouphug:

[HS Mom in NC]

Phonics Pathways and Reading Pathways http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=phonics+pathways&sprefix=phonics+pathwa%2Caps%2C211

 

They are breathtakingly efficient and thorough.  It's simple open and go.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Homeschool Mom in AZ

[City Mouse]

I would use Barton, but I already have several levels.

[Chris in VA]

I tutored with Laubach Literacy. They train volunteers to teach reading to adults. They have a lot of excellent materials.

 

But I'd probably just use Phonics Pathways!

[lamppost]

I've successfully taught adults using Lindamood-Bell's Seeing Stars. It's probably easier to pick up the method being taught in person rather than just reading the manual. Also the official materials are overpriced, but you can make your own.

[bethben]

Alpha phonics.  It's just word lists and sentences - nothing about it screams, "I'm teaching a 6 year old!"

[Lanny]

 I suggest you begin by checking to see if your local  Public Library has a program.  Years ago, I would frequently go out for Breakfast and there was a couple I spoke with many times who were also in that restaurant.  After he passed away, to my astonishment, one night on the local TV station, there was a story about her learning how to read in the Public Library. She was about 60 or 65 years old.  I believe it is common for adults in the USA not to know how to read and that is a tragedy for them.  

[Mergath]

I suggest you begin by checking to see if your local Public Library has a program. Years ago, I would frequently go out for Breakfast and there was a couple I spoke with many times who were also in that restaurant. After he passed away, to my astonishment, one night on the local TV station, there was a story about her learning how to read in the Public Library. She was about 60 or 65 years old. I believe it is common for adults in the USA not to know how to read and that is a tragedy for them.

It's not common, but it certainly happens far more often than it should in a developed nation.

[OneStepAtATime]

Start with a standard phonics based program like those mentioned above.  If a standard phonics based program doesn't work, then he may need something that breaks the process down even further, like Barton Reading and Spelling.  In the meantime, could he listen to audio books?  He may do better learning to read if he also has exposure to more vocabulary/grammar/story structure/background knowledge.  Maybe start with a topic of interest to him.  If he had access to a Kindle Fire and headsets he could listen to audio books more easily.  Very portable.  

[JudoMom]

I'd go with Phonics Pathways.

[desertflower]

I like phonics pathways or progressive phonics (free online). Although I really don't know of any other inexpensive programs to compare them with.

[brysgal]

Yes! He is listening to audio books and trying to learn on his own. 

 

Start with a standard phonics based program like those mentioned above.  If a standard phonics based program doesn't work, then he may need something that breaks the process down even further, like Barton Reading and Spelling.  In the meantime, could he listen to audio books?  He may do better learning to read if he also has exposure to more vocabulary/grammar/story structure/background knowledge.  Maybe start with a topic of interest to him.  If he had access to a Kindle Fire and headsets he could listen to audio books more easily.  Very portable.  

 

[brysgal]

Thanks all!! I just ordered Phonics Pathways. I also have Alpha Phonics and have used Progressive Phonics with my 5yo. That should be a good start. I really appreciate all the help!