The Odyssey School Language Program

Children with dyslexia have difficulty with the sound system of language.  They struggle with phonological awareness, including skills such as rhyming, clapping syllables or sequencing of sounds which are fundamental to literacy acquisition.

In addition, children may have difficulty remembering and retrieving information, understanding what is said to them, and expressing themselves.  Research demonstrates that all of these skills are critical for the more complicated processes of reading and writing.

All learning is mediated through language.  Our language program is delivered in a context that recognizes that every teacher at The Odyssey School is a teacher of language.  Every class is an opportunity to develop and integrate the skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

A key element of the mission of The Odyssey School is to teach our students that they are intelligent and capable individuals, regardless of the way that they learn.  The children know that we respect their intelligence and their learning style.  Their dyslexia is a part of who they are, but it does not define them.  Odyssey strives to help students realize that they are equitable learners, different, but no better or worse.

Ultimately, the Odyssey Language Program builds in our graduates a positive attitude about their potential to succeed as listeners, speakers, readers, and writers.  Graduating students demonstrate an insight into their language differences and strategies with which to compensate for them.  They have adopted an attitude of acceptance in relation to the added time, effort, and resourcefulness it may require for them to accomplish their goals.  In addition, they have become advocates for themselves in requesting fair consideration and understanding of their learning needs