The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is a structured literacy program designed to help individuals with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, improve their reading and spelling skills.
It is based on Orton-Gillingham principles, emphasizing multi-sensory, systematic, and explicit instruction. The program focuses on teaching phonemic awareness, word structure, decoding, encoding, and fluency.
Key features of the Wilson Reading System include:
- Multi-sensory Instruction: Uses visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile methods to reinforce learning.
- Systematic and Cumulative: Concepts are introduced sequentially, building upon previously learned material.
- Explicit Teaching of Decoding and Encoding: Students learn to break down words into sounds (decoding) and spell words by combining sounds (encoding).
- Structured Practice: Students engage in guided reading and writing activities to practice skills in a structured format.
- Focus on Phonemic Awareness and Fluency: The program helps students improve their ability to recognize, manipulate, and understand individual sounds in words and develop fluent reading.
The Wilson Reading System (WRS) is often used in small-group or one-on-one settings, particularly in schools and tutoring environments. It is suitable for students from grade 2 through adulthood and is designed to help individuals who struggle with reading due to dyslexia or other language-processing challenges.