Orton-Gillingham is the name of the approach for teaching students with dyslexia that Cindy uses. When it comes to language skills instruction for folks with dyslexia, Orton-Gillingham is the gold standard. Perhaps you have considered getting trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, but have questions. Let’s run through a few quick FAQs and then look at both local and national training options.
What do all the levels of Orton-Gillingham training mean? How do I know what level of training I need?
This is a great question! On the surface, the levels of O-G may look daunting, so here is a simple breakdown of the levels you are most likely to be interested in when starting.
Classroom Educator Level (Sometimes called Associate Level A) is for individuals with a Bachelor’s degree in any area of study. It requires a minimum of 30 hours of training by a Fellow and qualifies those who complete the training to give classroom and small-group instruction.
Associate Level B/2 - People who complete Classroom Educator level may apply those 30 training hours toward an Associate level membership. The additional 40 hours of training required to get from CE level to Associate level is usually called Associate Level B (or 2) training. Exercising this choice allows a person to break up the 70 hours of training over the course of two summers.
Associate Level Option A - This level qualifies a person to give 1:1 tutoring lessons to an individual with dyslexia. Prerequisites are a Bachelor’s Degree in any area of study. The training is a minimum of 60 hours by a Fellow.
Associate Level Option B - This level qualifies a person to give 1:1 tutoring lessons or conduct small groups for individual(s) with dyslexia. Prerequisites are a Bachelor’s Degree in any area of study. The training is a minimum of 70 hours by a Fellow.
Practicums for each level are supervised by a Fellow, and provide feedback, and give guidance and direction as the newly trained tutor begins crafting and delivering lessons.
Certified and Fellow level trainings are for those who wish to go further than Associate Level, not for beginners.
Where do I find training?
There are many national trainings listed on the Orton Academy website. https://
www.ortonacademy.org/training-certification/training-locations/ You will notice that many trainings are virtual, and that prices may vary widely. Trainings fill up quickly, so if you find one that suits your schedule and checkbook, register for it without delay. Most trainings sell out.
Local to northern training Alabama options include:
Lindsay Lane Christian Academy: An in-person Classroom Educator level training with Fellow Cheryl Eller is planned for the week of July 10, 2023. Information is being finalized at the writing of this newsletter however, you may refer to the LLCA website for complete information soon. https: www.lindsaylanechristianacademy.org/copy-of-orton-gillingham
Greengate School at Randolph is hosting a virtual Classroom Educator training with Fellow Jennings Miller on June 5 - 9, 2023, and a virtual Associate Level Part 2 with Fellow Jennings Miller on June 28 - 30 and July 13 - 14, 2023. Information and registration for this training is available at https://programregistration.veracross.com/App/randolph/ProgramRegistration/GGtraining22/Programs/Browse Scroll down the page a bit to see the 2023 option.
Why do prices for the training vary?
Fellows act as private contractors, not as employees of OGA. As such, they are free to set their fees. Schools bringing in training Fellows from out of town must cover the expenses for providing experts in an area where no Fellows reside.
What can I expect from training?
You can expect the same topics to be covered regardless of which Fellow leads your training. Fellows with the Orton-Gillingham Academy have a prescribed list of topics to be covered and have all been extensively trained to deliver the content. Personalities vary, of course, but it is helpful to know that the same topics will be taught by all Fellows.
You can look at the OGA website for a description of the topics which will be covered in the level of training you are considering. https://www.ortonacademy.org/training-certification/training-information/ is a really good page to begin on when looking for details.
You can expect the Fellow to lecture or provide you with collaborative group activities to promote learning during your training. It is not unusual to have outside reading assignments or sample lesson plans to complete in the evenings during training weeks. This is intensive training and your brain will be full to overflowing each day but in the best possible way.
If you have specific questions which were not answered here, send Cindy an email. She geeks out over talking about tutoring! cindyhallconsulting@gmail.com