{"id":1544,"date":"2023-05-25T13:26:30","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T13:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wilsonlanguage.com\/knowledge-library\/success-story\/its-never-too-late-finally-learning-to-read-through-wrs\/"},"modified":"2024-08-29T16:53:41","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T16:53:41","slug":"its-never-too-late-finally-learning-to-read-through-wrs","status":"publish","type":"success_stories","link":"https:\/\/dev.wilsonlanguage.com\/knowledge-library\/success-story\/its-never-too-late-finally-learning-to-read-through-wrs\/","title":{"rendered":"It’s Never Too Late: Finally Learning to Read Through WRS"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reading difficulties affect daily tasks many of us take for granted: paying bills, finding housing and work, communicating with our children\u2019s schools, voting, and even knowing our rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These barriers can be overcome. As Texan Beth Horner knows, adults can learn to read even if they\u2019ve struggled to do so for most of their lives. Beth is the director of the adult literacy program at caf\u00e9college Houston, a resource center that offers support to first-time college seekers and adult learners. Part of Beth\u2019s work involves helping adults gain literacy skills so they have equitable opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Beth started at caf\u00e9college Houston, which is part of the Houston Public Library, she noticed that a lot of adults called to inquire about learning to read. With her background in special education and K\u201312 reading interventions, she knew she could support these callers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While teaching in the Pacific Northwest some time ago, Beth learned useful Wilson Reading System\u00ae<\/sup> (WRS)<\/a> strategies from a supervisor. Informed by the science of reading, WRS supports learners from Grades 2-12 and adults who are making insufficient progress in their current intervention or who may require intensive multisensory language instruction due to dyslexia or other language-based learning disabilities. These students benefit from WRS\u2019s diagnostic and multisensory Structured Literacy (SL) approach. Her positive introduction to WRS made Beth feel encouraged to learn more about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Beth earned her WRS Level I Certification online through Gordon College, a Wilson\u00ae<\/sup> Higher Education Partner<\/a>. She then earned her Wilson\u00ae<\/sup> Dyslexia Practitioner (W.D.P.) credential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Learning for Busy Adults<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth began teaching one-on-one WRS lessons virtually through caf\u00e9college Houston. Her students made great progress and the online format suited their busy schedules well. As COVID-19 restrictions eased, Beth offered in-person WRS instruction, but some of her students opted to continue learning online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work schedules, family responsibilities, transportation, and other factors can present obstacles for adult learners. At 665 square miles, the city of Houston is home to more than 2.28 million people. A cross-town drive can be not only time consuming but also challenging. The option to learn online removes some of these obstacles and makes literacy training accessible to more people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHouston is a huge city, and it\u2019s difficult to get around with traffic and working,\u201d Beth said. \u201cIt\u2019s nice that I can accommodate the people who need to meet virtually.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Stories With a Common Theme<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth currently delivers WRS instruction to five adults between the ages of 20 and 65. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they have one thing in common\u2014they all have struggled with learning to read throughout their lives. Some have tried other approaches or reading programs in the past but made little progress. Now with WRS, each person\u2019s experience is a success story in the making\u2014and Beth is thrilled to be a part of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love working with these students,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s rewarding to see reading changing their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth works with students individually, walking them through each part of a WRS lesson from beginning to end. \u201cBeing able to work with me one on one is one of the main things that helps them most,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna is one of caf\u00e9college\u2019s WRS students; she is eager to gain enough reading proficiency to read maps and study for her commercial driver\u2019s license. Anna began studying WRS with Beth because someone told her it wasn\u2019t too late to learn to read in her thirties. Her new literacy skills have presented opportunities that Anna never thought were available to her. She appreciates the fact that Beth doesn\u2019t give her all the answers but instead lets her work through lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her hard work is already paying off. \u201cI can read texts!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cI can fill out applications for jobs. When I\u2019m reading, I understand things better and feel more confident.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trey sought Beth\u2019s help after searching the internet for videos about reading instruction and trying out various adult education programs. He\u2019s learning to read so he can go to school to become a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trey\u2019s new reading skills also are useful in his current parcel delivery job. \u201cWhen I became driver of the month, people asked me how I did it. Learning to read helped me read signs and delivery notes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s happy to report that he now uses his skills to train new delivery drivers. \u201cReading is helping me with my job and my life because I don’t feel like I am walking blind,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another of Beth\u2019s adult literacy students, Malik, is interested in getting into local politics. Achieving literacy will help him campaign for a spot on the city council. Malik, who has attempted to learn to read multiple times, told Beth, \u201cYou\u2019re the only teacher who has not given up on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel is an English learner (EL) who has been a municipal employee for her entire career and is getting ready to retire. She would like to open her own business for her second career, but she needs to improve her reading skills. \u201cI want to be able to articulate and understand. I want to feel more professional about my work. Now that I have gained more proficiency in reading and writing, I am enrolling in an English course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel is thankful for Beth\u2019s attentive and thorough instruction. \u201cIn the past, I had teachers that let me get by in school,\u201d she said. \u201cBut I am thankful for my teacher today because she makes sure that I will not go to the next step unless I master each step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Beth\u2019s help and WRS instruction, all of these students are empowered to achieve their goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raquel has an encouraging message for other adults who would like to learn to read: \u201cYou are never too old to learn! I am in my mid-fifties, and I am never too old to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find a certified WRS instructor near you, visit our Credentialed WRS Individuals Tutor Map<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading difficulties affect daily tasks many of us take for granted: paying bills, finding housing and work, communicating with our children\u2019s schools, voting, and even knowing our rights. These barriers can be overcome. As Texan Beth Horner knows, adults can learn to read even if they\u2019ve struggled to do so for most of their lives. 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