1. Use More Complex Texts (if the issue is isolated)

Older students are more likely to engage with texts that feel relevant to their interests and age group.

• Choose texts that incorporate phonetic patterns but reflect their hobbies, aspirations, or academic subjects.

• For example, use excerpts from sports articles, science journals, or favourite book series to practice decoding.

• Highlight phonetic patterns within these texts to connect skills directly to their reading material.

• If the student has a learning difficulty meaning their mental age is lower than their actual age, you can use lower age-ranged books too. 

2. Focus on Morphology

For students who haven’t responded well to traditional phonics, morphology can be transformative.

• Teach them to break down words into prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

• For example, explore how “unbelievable” is formed from the prefix “un-,” the root “believe,” and the suffix “-able.”

• This approach not only reinforces phonics but also supports vocabulary growth and reading comprehension.

• Activity Idea:

  • Ask students to create word webs, starting with a root word and branching out to include related words formed by adding different prefixes and suffixes.
    
    

3. Keep Sessions Short and Frequent

Older learners may feel overwhelmed by lengthy sessions, so prioritise consistency over duration.

• Aim for 10–15 minutes of focused practice, 4–5 times a week.

• Use each session to build on the previous one, reinforcing key patterns and skills.