How the centre works
BC Learning Centres Multi-sensory Program
The B.C. Learning Centres for Children with Dyslexia takes a 2-pronged approach to investing in our children.
First, we provide free-of-charge Orton-Gillingham training to volunteer educators in exchange for a 2-year (100 hours) minimum volunteer commitment to our students (value: $2,500). Our team of volunteer therapeutic tutors teach language skills in a step-by-step, systematic, and sequential manner using the proven Orton-Gillingham method, with Orton-Gillingham being perhaps the most effective multi-sensory method for teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities to read and write
By continually training educators, we are not only increasing the Learning Centres’ capacity for those financially challenged families unable to afford private tutoring as all children attend free of charge, we are also adding additional trained educator resources to the community for those that have the financial means to pay for additional tutoring.
Second, it is in these individualized tutorials that students learn to trust in their abilities again; it is here that they improve their language skills and work at their own pace without worrying about how they will be perceived by their peers.
In our program, children attend twice a week for one hour after regular school hours, usually between 3pm and 6pm, Monday through Thursday. Lessons are divided into five levels, and most children take up to three years to complete the program.
Success Rates
Through community-based literacy and learning we support children who need a second chance, many of whom have few other options. We ensure that children from financially challenged families have the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence they need to reach their full potential, achieve their goals and participate in today’s global economy. Why? Because people with improved literacy skills make better choices. They eat healthier, vote more often, strive for higher education, find better jobs and make their communities stronger.
With the support of our donors, partners and the literacy community, we have created some success stories.
The B.C. Learning Centres' Vancouver location is pleased to share that 100% of our over 31 students who have graduated from our early detection program are still enrolled full-time within the B.C. public school system. Noting the Vancouver location has only been in operation since 2009, our oldest students are currently enrolled in Grades 7-10. Colleagues from the private system share that 95-98% of their students, if enrolled during the same optimal learning period of Grades 2-5, do continue on and graduate Grade 12 with their peers. In comparison, the Ministry of Education reports only 81% of public and independent school students graduate within six years from the time they enroll in Grade 8 and only 53% who are categorized as Special Education graduate with their peers.
For those who cannot afford the private school system, the B.C. Learning Centres for Children with Dyslexia can deliver a transformational and lasting impact on the lives of B.C.’s most vulnerable future leaders.
Parent Testimonials
“While my son was growing with dyslexia (and other physical problems) he had very little to no self worth. It was sad and the fact that I could not help him made it worse for me. After a few years he finally got into a special program at school but it wasn’t until he started to see the Learning Centre tutor that I saw super results. In a few short months he is now reading 50 words a minute from only 19! He now has the confidence to sound out a word and spell it on his own! He’s not second guessing himself anymore. His confidence has grown in all areas of his life.
I owe a lot of it to his tutor and your program. Thank you. His teachers see his improvements and accomplishments. He has always been a special boy and thanks to you guys he is now seeing it too.
I would absolutely recommend this program to any parents whose children have problems in reading and writing. Thank you again. I appreciate what you have done for my child.”
“We are very pleased and feel very grateful that our son was admitted in to the Learning Centres for Children with Dyslexia program. He started in the program sometime last year around November. We see an obvious improvement in our son’s learning progress. He is more aware and more confident about the phonetic sounds of words. We are very glad that he can read more. He loved a book called “Magic Finger” so much that he read a few chapters without stopping. We find that he is now much better in associating the letters and phonetic sounds of words. He can even spell words with much success.
Thank you so much for his tutor, who has extraordinary amount of patience and expertise in teaching our son. This program indeed helped us to obtain private tutoring where he gains attention directly from his tutor. Without your help in funding the program, children and families like us won’t be able to sustain and afford the expense of non-funded private tutoring. Thank you!”
“I wanted to write you a letter to say thank you for letting my son receive tutoring at the Learning Centre. When he began to come to the Learning Centre he had a lot of trouble reading and spelling. After a year at the Learning Centre, he has learned so many new words, ways to spell, a great deal about English and about how to be a successful learner. Because of the tutoring, he is much more successful at school in all of his courses. More importantly, he now sees himself as a successful student. He is proud of what he knows and likes to tell his teachers at school the spelling rules he is learning. He is also getting better at his other school subjects, particularly in Math. He is now able to read and understand instructions in his text books and complete many more assignments on his own. He feels good about himself and is now eager to come to the Centre to expand his knowledge of English.
Without the tutoring at the Learning Centre, he would not have had such a successful year at school. I know that the tutoring at the Learning Centre has helped him so much. It is a wonderful program.”
Help a child learn to read today!
Your support will provide children and their families with free access to resources and support.
Equitable access for all children is an important pillar of the BCLCCD's work. Support is extended to families facing economic or socioeconomic hardship, including indigenous peoples.
Help support us on our mission to ensure that children in BC are able to reach their full potential.