Exploring the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Teaching Reading from the Perspective of Tutors at the Scottish Rite Learning Centre for Children - Halifax

Authors

  • Dr. Heather Hollis Mount Saint Vincent University
  • Dr. Mary Jane Harkins Mount Saint Vincent University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20360/langandlit29681

Keywords:

reading, tutoring, Orton-Gillingham, Scottish-Rite Learning Centre, dyslexia

Abstract

Research indicates that individuals with poor reading skills are more at risk of dropping out of school and having fewer career options than their peers who are proficient readers (Castles at al., 2018; Jamieson, 2009). The Scottish Rite Learning Centre for Children - Halifax (SRLCC-H) in Nova Scotia offers tuition-free tutoring services based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, to students with reading-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. Through individual interviews, this study explores the perspectives and experiences of the volunteer tutors and tutors-in-training at the SRLCC-H. The findings indicate that OG tutoring improved their students’ reading abilities and increased their levels of confidence.

Author Biographies

Dr. Heather Hollis, Mount Saint Vincent University

Heather Hollis is Principal at HollisEdConsulting, an educational research and consulting firm that focuses on evidence-based reading and writing instruction, pre-service teacher education, and differentiated learning and instruction for students with learning disabilities and cognitive delays. She is the author of Teaching with Humor, Compassion and Conviction: Helping our students become literate, considerate, passionate human beings (2016). Heather taught in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia public schools and universities for more than 25 years before starting her research and consulting business.

Dr. Mary Jane Harkins, Mount Saint Vincent University

Mary Jane Harkins is a Professor in the Faculty of Education and a Coordinator for Graduate Education Literacy programs at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS. Previously, she was a board administrator in southwest Nova Scotia. Her current research interests include accessible and inclusive pedagogy, language and literacy education, Indigenous knowledge and education, and school leadership from an Afrocentric Lens. Her film, Sister Dorothy Moore: A Life of Courage, Determination and Love was recently selected for screening at the Atlantic International Film Festival, 2022.

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Published

2025-01-14

How to Cite

Hollis, H., & Harkins, M. J. (2025). Exploring the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Teaching Reading from the Perspective of Tutors at the Scottish Rite Learning Centre for Children - Halifax. Language and Literacy, 27(1), 91–110. https://doi.org/10.20360/langandlit29681

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2025): Regular Issue

Section

Articles

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