A couple of years on from attending Sounds-Write training with SPELD SA, Speech Pathologist, Georgia, reflects on how it's become an integral part of her practice.
Putting Sounds-Write into practice has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s empowering to have a set of tools that are both effective and adaptable, allowing me to meet my students where they are and help them grow.
How long has it been since you did the Sounds-Write training? How do you reflect on it now?
It’s been a couple of years since I completed the Sounds-Write training. Looking back, I can see just how integral it has become in my practice. The course really laid a strong foundation for my approach to literacy support, and I’m frequently incorporating its principles into my work with students.
How would you explain the Sounds-Write program to someone who isn’t familiar with it, perhaps a parent of one of your students?
For parents, I’d explain that Sounds-Write is a highly effective phonics-based program designed to teach reading, spelling, and writing in a systematic way. It’s all about giving children the tools they need to decode the English language, which is essential for their literacy development. The program is structured to make learning these skills accessible and engaging, which is especially important for kids who might struggle with traditional methods.
Why did you decide to undertake this training?
I decided to undertake the Sounds-Write training because I had a number of children on my caseload who needed targeted literacy support. Literacy is such a critical area, and I felt that my university training didn’t delve deeply enough into this aspect. I wanted to ensure that I had the right skills to help these kids effectively, and Sounds-Write seemed like the perfect fit.
It’s so rewarding to see the impact this can have- not just in their academic abilities, but also in boosting their self-esteem. Being part of their journey to becoming confident readers and writers is very special.
Why is the Sounds-Write program important to you as a speech pathologist?
The Sounds-Write program is incredibly important to me as it’s equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to better support my clients with their reading and writing skills. It’s so rewarding to see the impact this can have- not just in their academic abilities, but also in boosting their self-esteem. Being part of their journey to becoming confident readers and writers is very special.
Were you excited to put it into practice?
Absolutely, I was thrilled to put the Sounds-Write program into practice, and that excitement has only grown since I first started using it. During the training, I could already see the potential benefits for my students, and I was eager to begin applying what I had learned. What really struck me was how immediately practical and adaptable the program was- it wasn’t just theoretical knowledge, but something I could integrate into my sessions right away.
Putting Sounds-Write into practice has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s empowering to have a set of tools that are both effective and adaptable, allowing me to meet my students where they are and help them grow. The progress I’ve seen in my students' literacy skills reaffirms my excitement and commitment to using this program in my practice.
What really struck me was how immediately practical and adaptable the program was- it wasn’t just theoretical knowledge, but something I could integrate into my sessions right away.
What parts of the training did you find most interesting or beneficial?
One of the most interesting and beneficial parts of the training was the focus on ‘teaching through errors.’ This approach really helped me in understanding how to correct mistakes in a constructive way, which is crucial when working with children. The role-playing exercises were also fantastic, they made the training practical and gave me a chance to see how these techniques would play out in real sessions.
What do you think are the main takeaways?
The main takeaway for me was that learning to read is not just one skill but a combination of various skills, including conceptual understanding and code knowledge. It’s about building a solid foundation that children can rely on as they progress in their literacy journey.
How has the training helped you in your sessions?
As mentioned, the teaching-through-errors approach has been particularly valuable. It’s given me a clear framework for scaffolding in sessions, helping me to guide and prompt my clients more effectively. This has made me much more confident in supporting them through their reading and spelling journeys.
Why do you think it’s such a popular program?
Sounds-Write is popular because it’s comprehensive and practical. It’s not just theory, it’s designed to be used in real-world settings with real students, and it works. Its prescriptive nature makes it easy to follow, but it’s also flexible enough to adapt to the needs of different learners.
Why should other speech pathologists undertake this training?
I would highly recommend this training to other speech pathologists because it provides a solid foundation for supporting literacy development. Whether you’re working with children who are just starting to learn to read or those who need more targeted support, Sounds-Write equips you with the tools and confidence to make a real difference in their literacy journey.
I would highly recommend this training to other speech pathologists because it provides a solid foundation for supporting literacy development.
Thanks for your time Georgia
The training is offered online or face-to-face at the new SPELD SA Educators’ Hub.
