Dyslexia: a fresh look at reading. 'reading fan tas tic' is designed to enable people with dyslexia, and other struggling or non-reading young people and adults, to become successful and confident readers.
Immediately, they understand how to construct words and take control of a simple but logical reading process. All that is required for real reading is experienced on the first two pages.
One of the most innovative features of 'reading fan tas tic' is the extraordinary way in which the structure of the English language is introduced.
Its logical progression means that the new reader is not presented with pages of inexplicable irregularities.
The understanding and logic of word structure underpin the entire work, and practice is incorporated in every word.
New reading information is presented by connecting it with vibrantly coloured photographs ,which are available for the new reader to view at every stage.
The new reader has to become familiar only with the sounds represented by the photographs.
They absorb the new information by using it repeatedly until it is automatically adopted as part of the natural reading process. Most people learn to read without knowing any technical literacy terms, and 'reading fan tas tic' enables new readers to learn to read in the same natural way. Each of the six books contains factual articles about animals: they are non-patronising and do not talk down to the reader.
Stunning photographs of wild and farm animals are on every page: zebras in flight, one momentarily poised on its front leg as it back-kicks a predatory lioness to prevent her from attacking the young in the zebra herd; one of seven piglets facing the wrong way at feeding time; and a fine emperor moth displaying large bold circles of dark colour on its open wings which fool predators into sensing the danger of menacingly staring eyes from which they must flee. As the reader progresses through the books, the subject-matter of the photographs, associated with the introduction of new reading information, departs from animals to include material of wider interest: the aeronautical acrobatic team, the Red Arrows, are seen in action; a game of chess is shown at the final move; and a potter's hands demonstrate the art of throwing clay. By the end of the series of books, the new reader will have successfully achieved adult-level reading ability.
The final article is taken from 'New Scientist', a magazine read by scientists, researchers, academics and people who like to keep in touch with scientific developments. An untrained but open-minded and positive reader is required to guide and encourage, not teach, the person with dyslexia, or the struggling or non-reader, through each of the books. Brief instructions are illustrated with diagrams and excerpts from the books.
This short reading course is designed to make re-learning to read as swift, easy and natural as possible, and can be used at home by a family member or friend.
Reported achievements from within families are encouragingly frequent.
The YMCA, volunteer tutors within the armed forces, and tutors in prisons and in schools are reporting equally positive outcomes: that their learners are discovering that they can indeed become successful and competent readers.
People with dyslexia, and those who struggle to read or cannot read, should not have to work harder than others to become successful readers. Newly competent readers regularly comment in surprise at how simple it has been to learn to read with 'reading fan tas tic' books and photographs. _________________________________________________________
