Since 1951, licensed teachers (regular education, special education, ELL, reading, speech/language, and Title 1), paraprofessionals, home educators, parents, and even grandparents have taken our training courses, which are designed to help those who struggle unexpectedly learning to read, write, and spell.
The Orton-Gillingham Approach, as taught by highly qualified Reading Center instructors, employs comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction. During the Institutes, participants will learn the approach, the structure of the English language, and apply what's been learned by planning and teaching actual lessons. The training is intense but extremely valuable and life-changing. Allow time in your schedule for a training of this magnitude.
Trainees in Basic Training Institute are provided with:
- An awareness of visual & auditory drills
- An opportunity to begin to learn the basic phonetic/ linguistic structure of English
- Hands-on in class practice, plus planning and teaching actual lessons with a student
Trainees successfully completing Basic Training Institute (with practicum) are equipped to begin providing this approach with struggling students in grades 1-5.
This is a 120-hour course that includes supervised practicum with a student. Trainees are responsible for finding their own practicum students.
Online Training
The Reading Center's training program has a national reputation for its rigor and quality, with a substantial practicum applying what you learn with a struggling reader. The 120 hour course is spread out over 12 weeks, and broken down into 12 modules. This is largely a 1:1 training and trainees will meet regularly online with a Practicum Instructor throughout the course. Online trainees print their own materials from work or home.
Student Practicum
During the Reading Center’s online training, each trainee will experience a virtual practicum in which three individuals will be on the computer at one time. This includes Trainee, assigned Reading Center Practicum Instructor, and chosen Practicum Student. The virtual practicum will take place using the WebEx platform. The Trainee is responsible for finding their own Practicum Student.
Technology
Minimum technology requirements for online training with virtual practicum include a headset, desktop/laptop with camera and microphone, high-speed, reliable internet connection, document camera, and printer. For online training without virtual practicum, you will need the previously mentioned technology requirements plus video recording equipment for practicum sessions. Please note that a Windows based computer is preferred over a Mac when using the WebEx software.
Graduate Credits
This course is available for graduate credit through Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM). You can opt to earn six graduate credits for this course and then, if you’d like, apply those credits towards a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction through their program. It doesn’t matter where you live because theirs is a 100% online graduate degree. The cost of graduate credits is in addition to The Reading Center’s course tuition. Nevertheless, it is a great opportunity, as The Reading Center & MSUM have a wonderful partnership that allows you to receive these credits at 50% of their usual tuition rate.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate of successful completion will be presented to those who satisfactorily complete the required coursework and pass the examinations.
Payment
Full payment for classes is due upon receipt of an invoice from The Reading Center. Limited scholarships and payment plans are available - contact Jemma Anderbeck at janderbeck@thereadingcenter.org for more information. Minnesota residents are invited to use the coupon code, MNRES at checkout to apply the Minnesota Resident Discount.
The Reading Center reserves the right to cancel (and refund tuition) for classes if not enough registrations are received.