EP 175 - How One Method Took Kids from 2nd-Grade Reading to Graduate-Level Comprehension

🎧 If someone you love struggles with reading or writing, this episode is required listening — Russell Van Brocklin explains a practical, low-cost approach that moves students rapidly from struggling readers to advanced comprehender.

John Suzuki welcomes Russell Van Brocklin, a dyslexia professor and practitioner who has translated structured literacy into bite-sized multisensory routines that produce measurable progress in months — not years. Russell shares his research-backed program, classroom examples, and the surprising “specialty-first” rule that unlocks deep learning for dyslexic students.

Inside this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why word analysis followed by articulation changes everything. The “specialty rule” — how teaching through what the student cares about drives rapid progress. Simple, repeatable writing exercises that build spelling, grammar, and reading simultaneously. How to make students hyper-focused on improvement (and why retryping mistakes matters). Real-world outcomes: students moving from 2nd–3rd grade levels to graduate-school-level performance.

💡 Key Takeaways:

Start with the student’s specialty — ignite motivation first. Use word analysis then articulation to scaffold correct language production. Require accurate, repeated output (retyping mistakes) to build automaticity. Typing on a real keyboard + audio follow-along helps vocabulary and comprehension. Progress is measurable and can happen in months with consistent multisensory practice.

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