When it comes to early reading instruction, letter name knowledge has long been considered a reliable predictor of future reading success. Research shows that students who know their letter names in kindergarten are more likely to read better later on. However, the question remains—why does this seemingly simple skill matter so much?
As educators, we want to ensure that we’re providing the best instruction for our students. While letter names are often part of the mix, they shouldn't be the main focus, especially if we neglect the foundational skills that truly drive reading development. This is where the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach proves invaluable.
The Debate Around Letter Names
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about how we teach reading, and Tim Shanahan brought up some important points. He looked back at a study by Byrne and Fielding-Barnsley and realized he had misunderstood it. The truth is, there’s no clear proof that just teaching kids the names of letters helps them read better. What really makes a difference is teaching phonemic awareness (PA), which is the ability to hear and work with sounds in words, and connecting letter sounds with this training. In fact, teaching letters along with sounds can really boost learning, but focusing only on letter names without teaching their sounds doesn’t help much.
So, while knowing the ABCs can help identify kids who might struggle with reading, it doesn’t mean that just knowing the letter names will make them successful readers.
Why Orton-Gillingham Prioritizes Phonemic Awareness and Sounds Over Letter Names
The OG approach, rooted in the science of reading, emphasizes phonemic awareness and phonics from the very start. Yes, letter names are taught—but they’re introduced as part of a broader, multisensory framework that focuses on the sounds letters represent and how those sounds form words.
In OG lessons, students don’t just memorize letters; they interact with them. Using tools like colored letter tiles, they build and read words, understanding how each letter’s sound contributes to the word’s structure. This hands-on, multisensory experience is what transforms basic alphabet knowledge into real reading ability.
How Orton-Gillingham Works Virtually
The beauty of the Orton-Gillingham approach is that it can be effectively adapted to a virtual learning environment, offering the same multisensory, structured literacy support online as it does in person. One of the most effective programs that is based on Orton-Gillingham methodology is The Barton Reading and Spelling System. Here’s how we implement these strategies virtually:
Interactive Tools: We use digital tools like virtual letter tiles to help students actively engage with letters and sounds. These interactive tools allow students to manipulate letters on the screen just like they would with physical tiles, helping them build words and reinforce their understanding of sound-symbol relationships.
Real-Time Feedback: During virtual lessons, tutors provide real-time feedback as students practice phonemic awareness activities, blending, and decoding. This immediate guidance ensures students stay on track, even in a remote setting.
Screen Sharing and Visual Aids: Tutors use screen sharing to display visual aids, anchor charts, and word lists to reinforce lessons. This allows for a clear and engaging learning experience where students can follow along and participate actively.
Personalized Support: Just like in-person sessions, virtual OG tutoring is highly individualized. Tutors can observe how each student responds to the material and adjust instruction based on their needs, ensuring that every session is tailored to the student’s specific strengths and challenges.
Multisensory Techniques Adapted for Online Learning: Even online, we incorporate OG’s signature multisensory techniques. Students engage in activities that combine visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile learning, using both digital tools and physical actions (like tracing letters in the air or using a whiteboard) to deepen their understanding of letter-sound relationships.
The Limitations of Focusing Solely on Letter Names: Learning Letter Names in Dyslexia
While studies confirm that letter name fluency correlates with reading success, the correlation isn't perfect. As Shanahan noted, students in affluent communities with low letter-name knowledge still manage to excel in reading. Why? Likely because these students receive rich language experiences at home or in school that support their literacy development in other ways.
The Orton-Gillingham method recognizes this complexity. It doesn’t rely solely on letter names as a reading predictor. Instead, OG incorporates essential skills like phonemic awareness, letter sounds, and decoding strategies, building a strong foundation for long-term reading success.
A Balanced Approach
In teaching early readers, a balance is key. Introducing letter names in a meaningful context, alongside sound-letter associations and decoding, aligns with OG principles. Teaching sounds and letters together multiplies the positive effects of phonemic awareness instruction. It’s this balanced approach that makes Orton-Gillingham so effective in helping students—particularly those with dyslexia or reading challenges—develop strong reading skills. Overall, learning letter names in dyslexia needs to be a balance.
Why Orton-Gillingham Is Essential— and why Online is Effective
For parents concerned about their child’s reading development, especially after an evaluation for dyslexia or other learning differences, Orton-Gillingham tutoring can provide the individualized support students need. Our program offers a structured, evidence-based approach that integrates the best of phonics instruction with practical, hands-on learning. You might be surprised to learn how interactive and engaging online learning can be when done correctly. Gone are the days of "covid online learning"- Hammond Bell has been utilizing virtual intervention since 2017 and has mastered the art of effective online dyslexia intervention. Interested in learning more? Schedule a call today to see if we're a good fit!
While letter names may offer some insight into a child’s future reading success, they’re just one small piece of the puzzle. True reading development happens when students gain a deep understanding of how letters and sounds work together—and that’s where Orton-Gillingham shines, whether in a traditional classroom or a virtual setting. Check out our website and facebook page for more information and to get in touch!
If you’re interested in learning more about how OG tutoring can support your child’s reading development, we would love to offer a free consultation to discuss how we can help.
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