LOCATED IN PORT MACQUARIE, NSW
Literacy Intervention (Years 1–8)
Some students need more than classroom instruction to develop strong reading and writing skills. At Jess Manton Specialist Education Services, we provide tailored, evidence-based support for students in Years 1 to 8 who are finding reading and writing tricky, or haven’t made the progress they need just yet.
Our sessions are designed to make learning feel manageable and achievable, especially for students who benefit from calm, structured teaching and more time to build skills step by step.
WHAt We do
We use a mix of proven approaches to suit each student’s needs. Every child is different—and so is the way we support them.
Our work is grounded in the Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) approach and supported by tools and programs such as:
Morphology-based instruction – to build understanding of word parts and meaning
REWARDS® Intermediate– to build fluency with multisyllabic words and improve vocabulary
Writing Matters by William Van Cleave – to strengthen sentence structure and grammar
Writer’s Toolbox – to support clear, organised writing across different subjects
Seven Steps to Writing Success – to break writing down into manageable, engaging techniques
Sessions are explicit, cumulative, and skills-focused—designed to teach literacy in a way that makes sense to the student and builds real confidence. We also incorporate game-based activities to keep learning fun and engaging..
one-to-one or 1:2 support
We offer two types of support:
Both options include regular monitoring of progress, tailored lesson planning, and take-home ideas to keep learning going between sessions.
What to Expect?
We begin with an initial diagnostic assessment, which gives us a clear snapshot of your child’s current skills in:
Reading (decoding and fluency)
Spelling (encoding)
Phonological and phonemic awareness
Sentence construction and writing (if appropriate)
You’ll receive a written plan with suggestions and recommendations for intervention, including whether one-to-one or small-group support would be most suitable.
Calm, clear and consistent teaching
We understand that many of our students arrive feeling behind, unsure, or tired of trying. We teach in a way that is steady, predictable and respectful of each child’s pace and learning profile. There’s no rushing—just small, achievable steps with regular feedback and encouragement along the way.
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What is Multisensory Structured Language (MSL)?MSL is an evidence-based, instructional approach proven to be effective for students with literacy challenges. It is characterised by its explicit, direct, cumulative, and intensive focus on language structure. Multisensory learning engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways, enhancing memory and learning of written language. Consistent connections are made between the visual (language we see), auditory (language we hear), and kinesthetic-tactile (language symbols we feel) pathways, which are essential in learning to read and spell.
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Why is MSL considered a therapy?MSL therapy is not just about teaching literacy; it’s about retraining the brain to process language more effectively. It’s a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying difficulties many students face with reading and spelling. It is: Direct & Explicit: Instruction is clear helping students understand the “what,” “how,” and “why” of language. Structured & Systematic: Lessons build on each other in a logical sequence, ensuring consistent reinforcement and mastery of concepts. Cumulative: New learning is based on prior knowledge, reinforcing and integrating previous lessons. Cognitive: It supports working memory and processing skills, which are crucial for reading and spelling. Emotionally Sound: It provides a positive learning experience, reducing frustration and anxiety often associated with reading difficulties.
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Is MSL the same as Sounds Write or MultiLit?MSL is an evidence-based, structured synthetic phonics routine that stands out for its flexibility as a teaching approach, rather than a fixed program like Sounds Write or MultiLit. This flexibility allows for tailored delivery, making it highly adaptable to meet the diverse needs of individual students during intervention.
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Can I use my child's NDIS funding to access Literacy Intervention services?Yes - we provide services to participants accessing NDIS funding, provided the participants are self-managed or plan-managed.
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What does it mean to teach at the sound and word level?This approach involves explicitly teaching students to recognize and articulate the fundamental sounds represented by our alphabet. Students are encouraged to blend and segment these sounds, manipulating them to spell and read words. Additionally, it encompasses developing fine motor skills and proper posture for handwriting, such as holding a pencil correctly and forming letters that correspond to each alphabet sound.
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What is sentence level instruction and why is it important?As students gain confidence with individual words, we guide them to explore how these words combine to create phrases and clauses—the essential components of language. By understanding and practicing how to construct sentences, students learn to convey meaning effectively. These foundational skills allow them to experiment with sentence types and structures, enriching their writing with varied and complex expressions.
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What is text level instruction?At this level, our young people must consider how sentences fit together at a whole text level to show meaningful cohesion of ideas and concepts in varying forms and for varying purposes. With this focus, our young adults develop the ability to plan a response at a whole text level, and the structural components of effective and high interest paragraphs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Testimonial
