Restored Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I was asked to tutor a 25 yo male who is illiterate. He desires to learn reading. Does any one in the group have any experience with this situation? He expresses a strong desire to learn how or read. When tested he was unable to consistently identify letters, sounds or small words. He does print is name and can copy words. He likes to trace drawings and color them with colored pencils. I need help on how to approach this task. Any book /workbook recommendations would be appreciated. I did receive a suggestion to look up the author Frank Laubach who has experience with adults. Thanks in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 I would first want to know exactly why he isn't reading. Did he grow up in an English speaking household in the United States? Did he attend school? Is he of normal intelligence? Has he been tested for learning disabilities or sensory issues (visual and auditory processing, for example)? The best way forward would depend on the answers to these questions. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restored Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 He was tested by a literacy foundation and he is considered illiterate. He was able to copy what others said but not the text by himself. He was born in another country, relocated to another and not a good historian. He has no status in our country, is unable to receive any social services. He is homeless but a church has gathered around this young man who as far as they can gather has been physically abused by his father. He does have a lawyer working on his behalf. Even though it seems hopeless, the literacy foundation asked me to do what I could. He wants to learn to read. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Is he fluent in English? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restored Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domestic_engineer Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Check out @ElizabethB's resources at http://www.thephonicspage.org. The Laubach series seems like it would take a long time to work through, IMHO. ElizabethB's program seems more efficient. I might also use ABeCeDarian as a framework; I've found it super efficient for my kid learners. I'm surprised that the literacy foundation didn't provide any support or training or resources. Maybe your library has some resources or contacts. Can he read his native language? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 Just seconding ElizabethB's phonics site-- it is not too "childish" for an older learner. Phonics Pathways is another resource I have used successfully with older learners as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restored Posted November 10, 2021 Author Share Posted November 10, 2021 They do have some stuff but it is above his skills. I was present when he was tested and he needs to start at the ground level. I homeschooled my own children and taught them to read so I am looking out of the box for him. He does not fit into a mold. Due to his situation resources are limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domestic_engineer Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 What resource did you use when you taught your own children to read? Could you accelerate that program? Your familiarity with a reading program could be an asset. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 (edited) You may also be interested in Alpha Phonics. Don Potter's site has an Alpha Phonics page with many free-for-the-printing resources that work together well. Edited November 10, 2021 by Zoo Keeper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted November 10, 2021 Share Posted November 10, 2021 10 minutes ago, Restored said: They do have some stuff but it is above his skills. I was present when he was tested and he needs to start at the ground level. I homeschooled my own children and taught them to read so I am looking out of the box for him. He does not fit into a mold. Due to his situation resources are limited. Have you looked at resources for dyslexic or intellectually disabled learners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted November 15, 2021 Share Posted November 15, 2021 (edited) WIth my adults or older children who do not know basic sounds, I use the same lessons but allow them to use the chart to look up sounds. I drill the sounds at the beginning and end of each lesson. I have a chart with non cute pictures for adults and teens. (Although, no teen so far has wanted the non cute chart, LOL, they like the little cartoon animals.) You guide them to the sounds at first, then they learn to look them up on their own. If he doesn't mind cute animals, he can color in the child chart on page 6, black and white, my students like to color in the black and white chart with colored pencil. http://www.thephonicspage.org/On Reading/Resources/40LChartsCombined.pdf The Laubach materials are terribly slow, when I first started tutoring I tried them out with a Laubach Literacy organization, I switched my student to my own lessons and then started finding students on my own. If he doesn't guess and has been taught nothing, use the real words instead of the nonsense words, most of my students guess from balanced literacy teaching. http://thephonicspage.org/On Reading/syllablesspellsu.html My first adult student, I hadn't developed my own lessons yet, I used a regular phonics book and added in a few 2 to 3 syllable words, that was the start of my lessons, I found that older children and adults can work with multi-syllable words, and that it speeds progress. Edited November 15, 2021 by ElizabethB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 I loved the I See Sam curriculum. Sure, it's for kids, but I'm sure this guy understands that many in the U.S. learn as kids. One of my boys struggled which is why I started the I See Sam books series. One read quickly using another curriculum, but his brother didn't take to reading. The I See Sam curriculum made all the difference. The "free" series, I'm not sure how this works though. The basic series. The colors of the books really helped. There's many small books in red and when it's time to move to blue, it's exciting. I don't keep much stuff, but I did keep the I See Sam curriculum in case I have grand kids one day. 🙃 I love you and your church! Thank you so much for helping this young man!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renai Posted November 22, 2021 Share Posted November 22, 2021 5 hours ago, Alicia64 said: I loved the I See Sam curriculum. Sure, it's for kids, but I'm sure this guy understands that many in the U.S. learn as kids. One of my boys struggled which is why I started the I See Sam books series. One read quickly using another curriculum, but his brother didn't take to reading. The I See Sam curriculum made all the difference. The "free" series, I'm not sure how this works though. The basic series. The colors of the books really helped. There's many small books in red and when it's time to move to blue, it's exciting. I don't keep much stuff, but I did keep the I See Sam curriculum in case I have grand kids one day. 🙃 I love you and your church! Thank you so much for helping this young man!!! I disagree. Children and adults have different needs; that's why there are materials specifically for teens or adults to learn to read. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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