Why Two Can Be Just Right: The Benefits of Semi-Private Literacy Intervention
- jessmantonses
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 25
If your child is in primary school and you’ve noticed they’re having a tough time with reading, spelling or writing, you’ve probably explored a few support options. Maybe you’ve tried one-on-one help, or you’re curious if something a little more interactive might suit them better.
For many families I work with, semi-private literacy intervention—just two students working together with an educator—has been a quiet game-changer. These sessions are small, structured, and grounded in evidence-based teaching, offering the right blend of individual support and peer connection.
A balance of personalisation and peer connection
At Jess Manton Specialist Educational Services, our semi-private sessions are carefully designed to deliver the same high-quality instruction you'd expect from an individual session, with the added benefits of peer interaction.
Each 60-minute session follows a structured, cumulative sequence using the Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) approach. This means:
We teach phonics explicitly, building from the simple to the complex.
We use multisensory techniques—think saying, hearing, writing and manipulating sounds—to support memory and engagement.
Lessons are highly scaffolded and repetitive in the best possible way, reinforcing what’s been learned across time.
When delivered in a small group of two, students have the chance to listen to, model for, and learn from a peer, while still receiving tailored support at their own level. It’s a lovely balance—especially for children who may find 1:1 a little intense, or who thrive with the energy of a learning buddy beside them.
A research-backed approach
The MSL approach draws on the Science of Reading—a strong body of research showing how the brain learns to read. Key researchers such as Pamela Snow and Lorraine Hammond have long advocated for structured, explicit literacy instruction, particularly for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
While 1:1 support is highly effective (and we absolutely continue to offer it), semi-private sessions allow for:
Increased opportunities for oral language through shared discussion and verbal rehearsal
Turn-taking and active participation, which supports engagement and fluency
Peer-to-peer encouragement, which can boost confidence and motivation
It also allows us to work more intensively with more students. This is something that’s become increasingly important with the rise in demand for specialist literacy support.
How we group students
Each pair is thoughtfully matched based on skill level, age, and learning profile. After an initial diagnostic assessment, we’ll recommend the best placement for your child and coordinate a session time that suits both families.
These sessions aren’t a generic tutoring group. They’re carefully curated, structured, and facilitated by a specialist educator committed to evidence-based practice.
What a session looks like
In a typical semi-private session, your child might:
Review previously taught phoneme–grapheme correspondences
Practice encoding and decoding words with a shared spelling pattern
Work through a sequence of dictation, sentence writing, or connected text reading
Engage in oral language games to consolidate phonological awareness or vocabulary
Every session follows a clear scope and sequence, designed to build mastery step-by-step, week by week.
Could this be right for your child?
If your child:
Struggles to decode unfamiliar words
Has difficulty hearing or representing sounds in spelling
Finds it challenging to get their ideas down on paper
Finds classroom instruction hard to keep up with…
Then semi-private MSL intervention could be a wonderful next step. These sessions are especially helpful for students who benefit from a quieter, structured environment, with just the right amount of social interaction to keep things fun and encouraging.
Ready to find out more?
We’re currently enrolling for Term 2 semi-private sessions for primary school students. Sessions run weekly after school in a 60-minute format at our Port Macquarie clinic.
Send us an enquiry to book an initial diagnostic assessment and see if we’ve got a group that’s the right fit for your child.
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