Adult Phonics Program – Learn to Read & Spell at Any Age
Master reading and spelling with the most comprehensive adult phonics program available online.
How Our Adult Phonics Program Works: Learn to Read at Any Age
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Millions of adults struggle with reading and spelling, often in silence. Whether you are an emerging reader who has experienced a lifetime of struggle and shame, or someone who needs to become a better reader and speller to succeed in school or work, the “We All Can Read” online phonics program for adults can help. Our program makes it possible for adults to work independently without the need of a tutor, from the privacy of their own home or anywhere else, and on their own schedule.
Hello, I’m Jim Williams, and I created “We All Can Read” specifically for adults. Unlike most phonics programs which are written for young children, our comprehensive program combines video instruction, audio guidance, and text across 720 carefully structured lessons. No computer experience is necessary; our lessons are all point and click. Each lesson builds upon the previous one, creating a solid foundation for reading and spelling success, all at a fraction of the cost for private tutoring.
The “We All Can Read” online program offers a comprehensive learning experience that includes video, audio, and worksheets. Each lesson includes integrated video instruction and audio guidance, allowing you to both watch concepts being explained and practice reading along with spoken text, including word lists, sentences, paragraphs, and short stories. Over 400 downloadable worksheets let you practice each new concept as it’s introduced.
Our program is based on the proven Orton-Gillingham approach to teach reading and spelling to adults who struggle with reading, whether due to receiving a poor phonics foundation as children, or because of being dyslexic or learning disabled, or even due to a combination of all of these factors. The Orton-Gillingham approach is based on four principles: systematic, multi-sensory, sequential, and cumulative. Our program organically incorporates all four of these educational principles in its curriculum.
Our lessons can be accessed from virtually any digital device: a smartphone, a computer, or a tablet. “We All Can Read” is flexible. You can work in our online program at any time, in any place you choose when to learn. Our program adapts to your life, not the other way around. Work at your own pace, reviewing and replaying lessons as often as you need. You are in control of your own learning journey. Whether you prefer to spend an hour a day or just 15 minutes, whether you need to review a lesson once or five times, there’s no rush and no pressure. Some concepts might click immediately while others may require more practice; that’s perfectly normal, and our program is designed to accommodate your individual learning style and schedule.
Our program also includes robust progress tracking features that help you stay focused and motivated. Our software automatically tracks your progress, saves your place, and records all quiz scores. Every time you log in, you’ll pick up exactly where you left off. The program maintains a detailed record of your journey, tracking not just your quiz scores, but also which lessons you’ve completed and which skills you’ve mastered. This comprehensive progress tracking helps you see how far you’ve come and identifies areas where you might need more practice. You can review your performance at any time. As you successfully complete exercises and advance through the program, you’ll earn certificates that recognize your achievements.
In the end, any educational program is only as good as the help it actually provides for its students. Over the years, we’ve had feedback from hundreds of individuals who have been students, teachers, and administrators in our program. Let me share with you just a few of their comments.
“After completing this course, I feel that my life has forever changed. Now, with my new skills, I’m confident to pursue any future avenues that I most likely wouldn’t have explored without having the ‘We Can All Read‘ program under my belt. I can’t thank you enough for putting together a wonderful program that truly works.” – Brad Sly, Australia
“I wish I was introduced to your program when I was in grammar school. It would have solved 90% of my agony of reading, spelling, and most of all, the embarrassing oral reading in the classroom and in public as an adult. I am 60 years old. I have an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. I have done well in life, but reading has held me back from great success. Your program is great. My gratitude to you for developing your reading program which is quickly giving me confidence in reading and enjoying reading for the first time.” – Bob D.
“Your program has really helped me develop the skills for reading and spelling. I can already notice the improvement in my spelling. Sounding out words was a crucial part of spelling that I didn’t learn well when I was a kid. I wouldn’t read books because I thought it was too hard. It was never hard, only that I didn’t know how. For much of my life, I knew how to spell basic words and spell most other ones from memory, but through your program, I can say that I have the skills to read properly. It grew my confidence and in fact helped me to get back into reading.” – Hasio
One significant advantage our online program offers is that it is cost-effective. You don’t have to commit a large investment to get help. There are other research-based phonics programs, but most phonics programs are written for young children, not adults, and virtually all phonics programs require a teacher or tutor to implement instruction. The average cost to hire an Orton-Gillingham tutor is anywhere between $65 to $165 per hour. Even a few sessions can easily run into hundreds of dollars. And if you were to enroll your child in a school that specializes in helping children with learning disabilities, the tuition can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 per year and beyond, even that.
Here is some feedback from some of our subscribers regarding the price advantage we offer.
“This is, without a doubt, the best value for me to learn to read with phonics skills. I figured to get the same skill set from a personal tutor it would cost me at least $3,000, maybe $4,500 over a year. The course you put together is inexpensive and works. Just because it costs a lot to do something doesn’t mean it’s the best way or that it’s going to work. I know this course works already.” – Alan W., Yaucom, Kansas City, Missouri
“This program is unique in its approach and its affordability. The only school in the area that uses similar teaching methods costs over $20,000 a year to attend. Comparable tutoring in our area costs over $70 an hour. I can get a month’s worth of tutoring through ‘We All Can Read‘ for that same amount.” – Annie Beth Brown Donahue, North Carolina
Our core philosophy is and has always been that the ability to read is a universal human right and is an essential condition for an individual to be able to succeed and thrive in our society. Everyone, regardless of economic circumstance, should…You can begin your journey towards reading and spelling mastery right now. Start with our first 10 free lessons. No registration, no account creation with an email, no credit card required. These initial lessons will show you exactly how our program works and help you decide if it’s right for you.
We’ve helped tens of thousands of adults learn to read and spell better, and we can do the same for you regardless of your past reading difficulties. Our lessons work and most people experience improvement from their very first lesson. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your path to literacy starts here.
“I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of the reading and phonics exercises provided. The program is comprehensive and well-structured, making it easy for users to follow along and track their progress. I have found the exercises to be engaging and effective in helping to improve reading skills. The online platform is user-friendly and accessible, making it convenient to practice phonics anytime, anywhere. Overall, I highly recommend the ‘We All Can Read‘ online phonics program to anyone looking to improve their reading and phonics abilities. Thank you for creating such a valuable resource.” – Craig, Leeds, England
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Why Adults Need Specialized Reading Programs
Adult reading instruction requires a fundamentally different approach than teaching children. Adults learning to read face unique challenges:
Years of academic struggle – Many adults have tried and failed with traditional reading methods designed for children
Work and family responsibilities – Adults need flexible, self-paced learning that fits their busy schedules
Emotional barriers – Shame, embarrassment, and low confidence can interfere with learning
Age-appropriate content – Adults need materials that respect their life experience and maturity
Different learning pace – Adult brains process phonics instruction differently than children’s developing brains
Why Do So Many Adults Struggle With Reading?
It’s not your fault. Millions of adults struggle with reading because they were never taught the code. Discover the real reason behind adult literacy challenges—and why systematic phonics is the answer you’ve been looking for.
How Our Adult Reading Program Addresses These Challenges
Our comprehensive adult reading program is specifically designed for learners age 16 and up who struggle with reading:
Self-Paced Online Learning: Study at your own pace, on your own schedule. No pressure, no judgment. Access 720 phonics lessons 24/7 from any device.
Systematic Phonics Instruction: Unlike programs that rely on memorization, our approach teaches the underlying phonetic structure of English. Once you learn the rules, you can decode any word.
Age-Appropriate Content: All examples, stories, and exercises are designed for adult learners. No childish material—content respects your intelligence and life experience.
Affordable Alternative to Tutoring: Professional reading tutors charge $65-160 per hour. Our complete program costs just $73 per month for unlimited access to all 720 lessons.
Understanding the true cost of adult phonics instruction helps you make an informed decision. Professional reading tutors typically charge $65-160 per hour, and comprehensive programs like Wilson Reading System can cost $10,000-40,000 for complete tutoring. Our online program provides the same systematic Orton-Gillingham phonics instruction at a fraction of the cost. For a detailed breakdown of how different adult phonics programs compare in price, effectiveness, and value, see our Adult Phonics Cost Comparison Guide.
Privacy and Comfort: Learn in the privacy of your own home. No need to disclose your reading challenges to anyone. Progress at your own pace without embarrassment.
Who Benefits from Adult Reading Programs?
Our adult reading program serves a diverse range of learners:
Adults with limited literacy skills – Those who never learned to read properly in school
English language learners – Non-native speakers mastering English phonics and pronunciation
Adults with dyslexia or learning disabilities – Systematic phonics works especially well for dyslexic learners
High school students – Teens who have fallen behind in reading can catch up with age-appropriate instruction
Career advancers – Adults who need stronger literacy skills for job advancement or career changes
GED candidates – Students preparing for high school equivalency exams
Does This Program Work for Dyslexic Adults?
Absolutely. Our program uses the Orton-Gillingham approach, which was specifically designed for dyslexic learners. Adults with dyslexia can achieve fluent, confident reading—it typically takes 18-30 months with consistent practice. Learn more about how adults with dyslexia can learn to read, including realistic timelines, why Orton-Gillingham works for dyslexic brains, and success stories from dyslexic students.
No matter your age or background, if you struggle with reading, our systematic phonics approach can help you finally master this essential skill.
“I loved this course. The We All Can Read Program starts at the very beginning. It was created for adults that have problems with reading and spelling. The information given stays on course and builds upon itself. It is an ideal program for one who wants to learn how to read and write.”
This program is very intense, but you can replay the classes until you master them which is different than being in a classroom and not keeping up. Mr Williams spent many hours creating this course and he answers the phone help you if you have questions. I don’t think there is another course like it. I hope your friend gives it a try.
I started the course May 29, 2015 and completed it today, August 18, 2015. It was a lot of work, but I am so glad I found the program. You would never receive this much information in a normal classroom. You sound out all of the words and learn how to hear the sounds of our own language. The information given stays on course and builds upon itself. It is an ideal program for one who wants to learn how to read and write. I am on overload right now and need a rest from studying, but I will go over my notes which are profuse after my break. Thank you for providing this wonderful course.
Carole M. / California
Real Success Stories
After completing this course I feel that my life has forever changed. Now with my new skills, I’m confident to pursue any future avenues that I most likely wouldn’t have explored without having the We Can All Read program under my belt. I can’t thank you enough for putting together a wonderful program that truly works. Brad Sly / Australia
In three months, I used your program to help a second-language learner escape grade retention. In another three months, I taught reading to a 5th grader who had no phonemic awareness, taking him from kindergarten level to 4th grade. No one had been able to help him, even though he had attended the same school since kindergarten. And, now I am using your program to help a fifth grader with higher-order phonics trouble that impacts his ability to adapt to new vocabulary. Indeed, it works!As a professional tutor of many subjects for children through adults, I reach consistently for nothing but your program for reading support. Sharron Stephens, Ph.D. / Educational Theory and Practice
“I have been thoroughly impressed with the quality of the reading and phonics exercises provided. The program is comprehensive and well-structured, making it easy for users to follow along and track their progress. I have found the exercises to be engaging and effective in helping to improve reading skills. The online platform is user-friendly and accessible, making it convenient to practice phonics anytime, anywhere. Overall, I highly recommend the ‘We All Can Read‘ online phonics program to anyone looking to improve their reading and phonics abilities. Thank you for creating such a valuable resource.” Craig, Leeds, England
“I figured to get the same skill set from a personal tutor it would cost me at least $3,000, maybe $4,500 over a year. This course is inexpensive and works!” Alan W. Yoakum, Kansas City
See Real Results: Read inspiring success stories from adult students who achieved measurable improvement in 8-18 months, including standardized test score improvements and career advancement.
Why Most Adults Struggle with Reading (And How Phonics Fixes It)
Why This Adult Phonics Program Is Different: A Message from the Creator
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We All Can Read is a step-by-step intensive phonics program designed for older students and adults who never received systematic phonics instruction as children.
I developed this program specifically for students beyond the second grade and all the way through high school and adults as well. In my experience older students who have difficulty in reading, have difficulty in reading because when they were in grades K-2 they did not receive a thorough, systematic foundation in the phonetic basis of our language. And individuals who fail to receive that foundation in the early grades as a matter of general course never receive that foundation. Because once children get beyond the second grade, the schools by and large do not teach phonics in a systematic way.
Now when I talk about phonics, I am talking about the fact that there is a direct and consistent relationship between letters and sounds in our language. English is a phonetic language, not all languages are phonetic. As an example the Chinese language is nonphonetic. The characters in their language do not represent sounds. But in English we have 26 letters that represent 42 sounds. And from these 42 sounds we construct over a half-million words in vocabulary. English is the largest vocabulary of any language in the world. And we write all of these over half-million words with just 26 letters. The key to becoming a good reader and a good speller is to learn the relationship of letters and sounds in our language. And that is what systematic, intensive phonics is designed to do – to teach you the code which underlies the entire system of reading and writing in our English language.
Now a lot of adults who get involved in this program, and not just adults but older students, have an attitude about phonics that it is a subject that is appropriate for young children, and that in fact that by the time you are beyond a certain age or grade, it is no longer appropriate to learn phonics. Well that is not true at all, but I can understand where people get that misconception because the vast majority of phonics programs were written and developed for young children.
What is unique about this program, or I should say one aspect of this program that is unique, is that from the outset it was written for older students and adults not for young children.
At one point I was an English and reading teacher at an inner-city high school. And I began my whole study into the field of phonics because I had so many students in my high school classes that were behind in reading. And many of these students were bright students, articulate students, and I couldn’t understand why they were having trouble reading words on the page accurately.
As I began to work with these students more and more I began to understand that the breakdown came because as I alluded to just a few minutes ago, when these students were in early grades, they never received the instruction as to the relationship between letters and sounds in our language. And because of that, they were forced to rely upon memory to learn words. Well memory is a wonderful tool that we have access to; however, not everyone is able to memorize all of the various words that you are going to come in contact with on the page. And in fact the genius of the English language is that you don’t have to.
The key to becoming a good reader is simply by learning the sounds represented by these 26 letters in our alphabet. And when you encounter a word, which is obviously composed of some of those 26 letters, if you know the sounds represented by those letters, you will be able to read those words that you encounter on the page. And not only will you be able to read the words accurately, but if you become proficient in phonics, you will also be able to spell words that you hear pronounced with a very high degree of accuracy.
So I began to realize that my high school students had been profoundly cheated in their lives when they were very young. And yet these very students tended to blame themselves for having poor reading skills. And I have found that is a very common belief among students and adults who have poor reading skills. They tend to feel that the reason that they didn’t learn to read well is because they somehow don’t have the capability to become a successful reader. And that is a very heavy kind of burden for individuals to carry. And one thing I want to tell you is I completely found that belief to be incorrect.
Many students when they have difficulty in learning how to read somewhere along the way in school get a label placed on them as having a learning disability. And that is so hugely unfair because what I have found in the many years that I have been teaching reading and phonics is that almost invariably, students who have poor reading skills have poor reading skills because they weren’t exposed to systematic phonics instruction.
It’s not that they can’t learn to read, it’s that when they were very young they didn’t receive the proper foundation in phonics. And then, as I said, beyond the second grade, most children never receive phonics instruction, or they receive it in an incidental manner, it’s not taught in a systematic way. And so if you don’t get phonics instruction by the second grade, or by the very latest the third grade, most people never get it. And so the tragedy is that millions of people, and I literally mean millions of people in our country alone, have poor reading skills that they will have to deal with for their entire lives because of something they didn’t get at a very young age. That is the bad news.
But the good news is anyone, virtually anyone, can become a successful reader regardless of that person’s age if that person receives instruction in systematic phonics. And that is what this program is designed to do. I am going to provide you in a very structured, sequential way with all of the information you are going to need to be able to look at a word, sound that word out, and accurately read the word. Not only that but you will also gain the skills necessary to be able to spell words with a high degree of accuracy. And that is what systematic phonics is designed to do.
So what I want to tell you is that if you are an older student, or if you are an adult, and you do have a feeling that phonics is something that is not appropriate for someone at your age level or the grade that you happen to be in at school, I understand why you might feel that way, but I want you to know that this program called We All Can Read is unlike any other phonics program you have ever heard about, and it was from the very outset designed for older students and adults.
And I want to make a promise to you. If you will follow this program through from the very beginning, the first lesson through to the very end, then I want you to know you will experience profound and lasting gain in your ability to read to spell and to comprehend.This program will work regardless of your past experience with reading.
What has happened is – and I have worked a lot with older students and adults. I have been a teacher, and I operated a reading clinic for many years where I worked exclusively with students with reading problems. And I had many students come to my reading clinic who had an entire history of difficulty in learning to read. And many of these students had entered into remedial reading programs as older students or adults and even then had failed to become good readers. And each time a person enters a reading program again and experiences defeat again, then that person’s belief in his inability to learn, unfortunately, enlarges.
And so what I want you to know is that regardless of your past experience with reading, if you go through this process that I am about to begin with you, step-by-step – it is very sequential. It is critical that you do not skip steps. And you start with Lesson 1, and you take the test at the end of each lesson, and once you demonstrate mastery in each lesson, you are allowed to go to the next lesson, if you follow the sequence through, you will, as I have said earlier, you will see profound improvement in your reading skills.
So with that in mind, we are going to begin by learning the consonant sounds. But before I begin with the consonant sounds, let me tell what the vowels are, and the vowels are a, e, i, o and u. We are going to get to all of the vowel sounds soon, but we want to begin with the consonant letters.
Now many of you already know your consonant sounds, and I realize that. But you have to understand my perspective. There are individuals that are beginning this program that have never had phonics instruction of any kind ever. And for these individuals they don’t even know consonant sounds. You might be in that group. And I want you to know if you are in that group there is absolutely no shame whatsoever to be in that situation. Because remember, if you don’t know this information, that means that when you were a young child, you were not taught that information. And you can hardly be held responsible for information that you were never taught to begin with.
So for those individuals who have no background in phonics, I am going to provide you with plenty of opportunity to learn the skills being presented with lots and lots of drill because phonics is a skill. And as with any other skill, you must practice the skill in order to learn the skill. It is very much akin to learning to play a musical instrument or a sport. You have to go out if you are playing a sport and practice. If you are learning to play a musical instrument, you have to sit down and play the musical instrument. So there will be lots of repetition within every lesson within this program.
Now that is a great benefit and advantage to this program. However at the beginning of the program for some of you, that may prove to be what seems to be a disadvantage. Because some of you already know your consonant sounds. So the information at the beginning of the program may seem too elementary for you. And the worst thing you could possibly do is conclude then that this program is going to be too easy and therefore it is not suitable for you. Because, again, remember my position. I am presenting information for people that perhaps have never had this information before presented to them. But for those of you who already know the information that is presented at the beginning of the program, stay with me.
Because I promise you this program continues to deepen, and once we start with the consonant sounds, we are going to add the short vowel sounds, we are going to begin to add consonant blends, beginning consonant blends, ending consonant blends. We are then going to learn consonant teams, vowel teams, two-syllable words, three-syllable words, four, five and six syllable words. So the program just builds and builds and builds in terms of complexity.
But the key is you are never going to be presented with information that is too difficult for you. Because what we are going to do is climb a ladder. We are going to start at the very bottom rung of the ladder. But as we go further into the program, each rung of the ladder is going to take you that much higher off the ground. And if you stay with the entire program to the end, but the time we reach the end, you will be amazed at how high off the ground you actually have gotten.
I wish I was introduced to your program when I was in grammar school. I am 60 years old and dyslexic… Your program is great and is quickly giving me confidence in reading for the first time.– Robert, Age 60
The only school in the area that uses similar teaching methods costs over $20,000 a year to attend. Comparable tutoring in our area costs $70 an hour. I can get a month’s worth of tutoring through We All Can Read for that amount. Annie Beth Brown Donahue/ North Carolina
This reading program is fantastic, simple and very easy to follow. It takes you through the basic steps and progresses to amazing levels very quickly. You don’t realise that missing one or two links or steps in the learning process can have a huge impact on the ability to progress. I used this program originally to improve the reading and spelling of my 11-year-old child, but it was amazing how much I learned and improved along the way as well.Thank you so much. It has given confidence to my son’s ability to read and spell. / Linda McDermott – Australia
We are pleased to notify you that the We All Can Read Program has been endorsed by the National Right to Read Foundation, as an exemplary instructional program for teaching children and adults to read. / Robert W. Sweet – Past President of National Right to Read Foundation / former Professional Staff Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives
Subscribing to our online program is like hiring a full-time reading specialist available to work with you at home twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.
The Internet has changed everything in education. Now for the first time, it is completely possible and realistic for an adult to teach himself to read and spell in the privacy of his own home without an instructor. How is this possible?
With our online adult phonics program a student does not have to be computer literate to complete these lessons. All of our lessons are point and click. No other skill is required to be able to proceed through our online lessons.
With our online program you do not have to hire an instructor, enroll in a literacy class, or be placed on a waiting list for an available tutor. You can teach yourself to read and spell in the privacy of your own home! And you can access our program at any time day or night on your schedule – not someone else’s. No driving or finding other alternate forms of transportation to attend class is required. You learn at home!
Our online license provides access to a complete phonics-based reading and spelling curriculum for adults – no additional purchase of any kind is necessary.And you don’t even need a computer! Access our lessons on your smartphone or tablet.
What Makes Our Program Different: 1. 720 lessons combine video and text – most comprehensive available 2. All lessons are printable 3. Point-and-click simple – no computer skills needed 4. Works on any device – phone, tablet, computer 5. 203 built-in quizzes – track your improvement 6. Progress tracking – never lose your place
Our online phonics reading and spelling program really does work!
Comparing Us to Other Programs
Many adults ask how we compare to programs like Hooked on Phonics, which markets itself as an adult reading solution. The key difference: Hooked on Phonics was designed for children ages 3-8 and repurposed for adults, while our program was built specifically for adult learners from the ground up using proven Orton-Gillingham methods.
Key differences:
Program depth: 720 comprehensive lessons vs. 180 basic lessons
Teaching method: Pure systematic phonics vs. mixed whole language approach
Age-appropriateness: Designed for adults vs. children’s content repackaged
Effectiveness for dyslexia: Proven Orton-Gillingham methodology vs. limited research for adult learners
What You’ll Learn: Complete Phonics & Spelling Skill
Our comprehensive adult phonics program teaches every foundational skill you need to read and spell with confidence. Here’s what you’ll master:
Phonogram Mastery: Learn all 80 phonograms—the building blocks of English reading and spelling. A phonogram is a letter or letter combination that represents a single sound. You’ll systematically learn each phonogram, from basic letter sounds to advanced combinations like “ough” and “eigh.” Our multisensory approach helps you see, hear, say, and write each phonogram until it becomes automatic.
Syllable Division & Word Analysis: Master the six syllable types that unlock pronunciation of any English word: closed, open, vowel-consonant-e, vowel team, r-controlled, and consonant-le. You’ll learn systematic syllable division rules that show you exactly where to break words apart, making even long, complex words manageable. This skill is critical for reading multisyllabic words fluently and spelling them accurately.
Integrated Spelling Instruction: Reading and spelling are two sides of the same coin. Every lesson includes spelling practice alongside reading instruction. You’ll learn common spelling patterns, spelling rules, and how to apply phonogram knowledge to spell words you’ve never seen before. Our dictation exercises strengthen the connection between sounds and written letters, building both decoding and encoding skills simultaneously.
Decoding Strategies for Any Word: Develop systematic strategies to decode unfamiliar words. You’ll learn to identify phonograms, divide words into syllables, apply vowel rules, and blend sounds together smoothly. These decoding skills work for any word you encounter—whether in a textbook, at work, or in everyday life. By the end of the program, sounding out words becomes second nature.
Multisensory Learning Throughout: Based on Orton-Gillingham principles, every lesson engages multiple senses: seeing the letters, hearing the sounds, saying the words aloud, and writing them. This multisensory approach creates stronger neural pathways, making learning more effective and permanent—especially important for adults with dyslexia or learning differences.
New to Learning About Adult Reading?
If you’re just starting to explore how adults learn to read, these comprehensive guides answer common questions: