Wilson Reading vs We All Can Read: $73/Month vs $10,000+ Training Cost

Which Orton-Gillingham Program Is Right for You?
Cost, Training Requirements & Effectiveness Compared

If you’re researching the Wilson Reading System, you’ve likely discovered it’s one of the most respected Orton-Gillingham programs available. But here’s what most people don’t realize: Wilson requires a certified instructor and can cost several thousand dollars in materials before instruction even begins.

This comprehensive comparison helps you understand the real differences between Wilson Reading System and We All Can Read—both proven Orton-Gillingham programs, but designed for completely different implementation models.

Why Systematic Phonics Matters for Adults

Both Wilson and We All Can Read use systematic Orton-Gillingham instruction. But why does this approach work when traditional methods failed? Understanding the “literacy code” explains everything.

Discover The Literacy Code →

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Wilson Reading System	We All Can Read
Teaching Model	Requires certified instructor	Self-paced, independent learning
Designed For	Schools, clinics, tutoring centers	Individuals, homeschools, independent learners
Instructor Training Required	Yes – 60+ hours certification	No training needed
Certification Cost	$2,500-3,500 for Level 1	None
Materials Cost	Ranges from over $1,000 to thousands of dollars for complete kits	Included in subscription
Monthly Subscription	N/A (one-time purchase)	$73/month unlimited access
Can Student Work Independently	No – requires trained instructor	Yes – fully self-paced
Total Lessons	12 steps with substeps	720 comprehensive lessons
Online Access	Limited (primarily print-based)	100% online, any device
Best For	Schools with trained specialists	Adults, homeschools, self-learners
Orton-Gillingham Method	Yes	Yes
Suitable for Dyslexia	Yes	Yes
Video Instruction	Training videos for teachers	100+ hours for students, parents and teachers

The Critical Difference: Instructor-Dependent vs Self-Paced

Wilson Reading System: Built for Professional Implementation

Wilson Reading System was designed for use by trained reading specialists in schools, clinics, and tutoring centers. The program assumes you have:

A certified Wilson instructor teaching the student
Access to expensive physical materials (cards, tiles, workbooks)
Structured one-on-one or small group instruction time
Ongoing professional development and support

What this means in practice:

Parents cannot implement Wilson without certification ($2,500-3,500 training)
Students cannot work through Wilson independently
Requires 60+ hours of professional training to become certified
Ongoing costs for recertification and updated materials

Who Wilson works best for:

✅ Schools hiring reading specialists
✅ Private tutoring businesses
✅ Learning centers with certified staff
✅ Families who can afford $65-160/hour for a Wilson-certified tutor

We All Can Read: Built for Independent Learning

We All Can Read was designed from the ground up for independent learners, homeschool families, and self-motivated students who don’t have access to specialized instruction.

What this means in practice:

Parents with no teaching background can support their children
Adults can teach themselves without an instructor
Everything needed is included online—no expensive materials to buy
Video instruction teaches concepts directly to the student
Work at your own pace, on your own schedule, from any device

Who We All Can Read works best for:

✅ Adults learning to read independently
✅ Homeschool families teaching their children
✅ Parents who can’t afford $65-160/hour tutoring
✅ Students in areas without Wilson-certified tutors
✅ Anyone with a limited budget wanting to access systematic O-G instruction

Cost Comparison: What You’ll Actually Pay

Wilson Reading System Complete Costs

Materials (One-Time Purchase):

Complete Wilson Kit: Ranges from over $1,000 to thousands of dollars for complete kits
Student workbooks: $30-50 each (consumable, must repurchase)
Manipulatives and cards: $200-500
Instructor manuals: $100-300

Professional Training:

Level 1 Certification: $2,500-3,500 (required)
Level 2 Certification: $3,000-4,000 (optional)
Recertification: Ongoing costs every few years

Instruction Costs (if hiring tutor):

Wilson-certified tutor: $65-160 per hour
Typical program duration: 2-3 years
Sessions: 2-3x per week
Total tutoring cost: $10,000-40,000+

Total if purchasing for home use:

Materials + certification: $4,500-7,500
Does NOT include student’s time with instructor

Total if hiring tutor:

$10,000-40,000 over 2-3 years

We All Can Read Complete Costs

Monthly Subscription:

$73/month for complete access
Includes ALL 720 lessons
Includes 400+ printable worksheets
Includes 203 mastery quizzes
Includes unlimited household members
Includes 100+ hours of video instruction

No Additional Costs:

No materials to purchase
No certification required
No training fees
No instructor fees
No workbooks to replace

Total Cost:

Typical completion: 1-2 years (Varies according to student’s beginning reading level and practice schedule)
Total investment for one year: $876
Works for entire family

Cost Comparison Bottom Line:

Wilson: $10,000-40,000+ (with tutor) OR $4,500-7,500 (DIY with certification)
We All Can Read: $876 (complete program for one year)

Savings: $9,000-39,000+

Teaching Method: Both Use Proven Orton-Gillingham Approach

Here’s the good news: Both programs teach the same foundational principles.

Shared Orton-Gillingham Components

Both Wilson and We All Can Read include:

Systematic & Sequential Instruction

Concepts taught in logical, carefully planned order
Each lesson builds on previous lessons
No gaps in the learning sequence

Multisensory Learning

Visual (seeing letters and words)
Auditory (hearing sounds)
Kinesthetic (writing)
Oral (saying sounds and words)

Explicit Phonics

Direct teaching of sound-symbol relationships
No guessing allowed
Systematic coverage of all phonics patterns

Cumulative & Diagnostic

Constant review of previously learned material
Regular assessment to ensure mastery
Students must demonstrate understanding before advancing

Reading AND Spelling

Both skills taught simultaneously
Mutually reinforcing activities
Encoding (spelling) and decoding (reading) practiced together

Curriculum Similarities

Both programs teach:

Phonemic awareness (hearing sounds in words)
All phonograms (letter-sound combinations)
Syllable types and division rules
Vowel and consonant patterns
Prefixes, suffixes, and roots
Multisyllabic word decoding
Controlled/decodable text reading
Extensive use of nonsense words (to prevent guessing)

Both programs include:

Comprehensive scope and sequence
Built-in assessment throughout
Systematic marking systems for analyzing words
Structured lesson plans
Review and reinforcement
Redundancy for skill mastery

Program Scope & Depth

Wilson Reading System: 12 Steps

Wilson organizes instruction into 12 steps, each containing multiple substeps:

Steps 1-6: Basic phonics patterns, syllable types, fundamental concepts
Steps 7-12: Advanced patterns, morphology, longer words, complex text

Lesson Structure:

Each session follows the “Wilson 10-part lesson plan”
Instructor leads all activities
Heavy use of physical manipulatives
Systematic progression through steps
Requires 2-3 years to complete all 12 steps with regular instruction

Materials:

Physical card decks
Magnetic tiles for word building
Student readers at each level
Consumable workbooks
Instructor manuals with detailed scripts

We All Can Read: 720 Lessons

Program includes 720 core lessons plus 141 supplemental fluency lessons:

Section One: Foundational phonics (consonants, short vowels, blends, basic patterns)
Section Two: Advanced vowel patterns, syllable types, complex combinations
Section Three: Multisyllabic words, prefixes, suffixes, advanced spelling
Section Four: Comprehensive review, advanced morphology, mastery

Plus:

141 Supplemental Fluency Reading lessons
400+ printable practice worksheets
203 mastery quizzes throughout
Comprehensive progress tracking

Lesson Structure:

Video instruction teaches new concept (5-10 minutes)
Practice activities reinforce learning (10-15 minutes)
Quiz checks mastery before advancing (5 minutes)
Students control their own pace
Typical completion: 1-2 years working 30-45 minutes daily

Who Should Choose Wilson Reading System?

Wilson Reading System is the better choice if:

✅ You’re a school or learning center hiring reading specialists
✅ You want to become a certified reading instructor professionally
✅ You have $10,000-40,000 budget for tutoring over 2-3 years
✅ You’re willing to invest $2,500-3,500 in certification training
✅ You need a program recognized by schools
✅ You’re establishing a tutoring business and need credentials

Wilson excels at:

Professional implementation in schools and clinics
Training reading specialists with structured methodology
Providing physical manipulatives for tactile learners
Offering recognized certification for career advancement
Supporting students who need live, one-on-one instruction

Who Should Choose We All Can Read?

We All Can Read is the better choice if:

✅ You’re an adult learning to read independently
✅ You’re a homeschool parent teaching your children
✅ You can’t afford $10,000+ for specialized tutoring
✅ You don’t have access to Wilson-certified tutors in your area
✅ You want self-paced learning on your own schedule
✅ You need a complete program with no additional purchases
✅ You prefer learning from home with video instruction
✅ You’re preparing for GED or career advancement

We All Can Read excels at:

Making Orton-Gillingham accessible to everyone
Providing complete instruction without an instructor
Offering affordable systematic phonics ($73/month)
Enabling learning anywhere, anytime, on any device
Supporting entire households with one subscription
Respecting adult learners with age-appropriate content

Effectiveness: Do Both Programs Actually Work?

Wilson Reading System Research & Results

Wilson’s track record:

Used in thousands of schools nationwide since 1988
Backed by multiple independent research studies
Recognized by International Dyslexia Association
Proven effective for students with dyslexia and learning disabilities
Strong outcomes when implemented by trained instructors

Research shows Wilson works when:

Taught by certified Wilson instructors
Implemented with fidelity to the program
Students receive consistent, regular instruction
Used in appropriate educational settings

We All Can Read Results & Testimonials

Program’s effectiveness:

Based on same Orton-Gillingham principles as Wilson
45+ years of development and refinement
Thousands of successful adult and student learners
Proven results for independent learners without instructors

Real user results:

“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 with 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.”
— Sharron Stephens., Ph.D., Professional Tutor

“I figured to get the same skill set from a personal tutor it would cost me $3,000-$4,500 over a year. This program is inexpensive and works!”
— Alan W. Yoakum, Kansas City

“I’m 60 years old with an Associate Degree. Reading has held me back from great success. Your program is quickly giving me confidence in reading for the first time.”
— Bob D., Florida

Both programs work—the key is matching the program to your situation.

Common Questions About Both Programs

Q: Is Wilson “better” than We All Can Read?

Neither is objectively “better”—they serve different needs. Wilson is better for schools and professionals. We All Can Read is better for individuals and families. Both use proven Orton-Gillingham methods.

Q: Can I use Wilson materials without certification?

Technically yes, but you won’t understand how to implement the program correctly without training. Wilson is designed for certified instructors. You’d be spending thousands of dollars on materials without knowing how to use them effectively.

Q: Which program is faster?

We All Can Read typically takes 1-2 years with daily practice. Wilson typically takes 2-3 years with 2-3 sessions per week. The difference is partly due to instructor availability and scheduling constraints vs. self-paced daily access.

Q: Can adults use Wilson?

Wilson works for adults if they can find and afford a certified Wilson tutor. However, most Wilson instruction focuses on children. We All Can Read is designed specifically for adult learners with age-appropriate content.

Q: Which has better materials?

Wilson’s physical manipulatives (tiles, cards) are excellent for tactile learners. We All Can Read publishes video instruction that provides clear, visual teaching that students can replay. The “better” materials depend on your learning style and situation.

Both Programs Share the Same Goal

Whether you choose Wilson or We All Can Read, you’re investing in proven Orton-Gillingham instruction—the gold standard for teaching struggling readers and students with dyslexia.

The core difference isn’t quality or effectiveness—it’s accessibility and implementation model.

Wilson’s Important Contribution to Reading Education

Wilson Reading System has created a growing cadre of thousands of reading specialists grounded in the science of effective, research-based reading instruction. At a time when many teaching colleges and universities continue to fail in providing research-based teacher training programs grounded in the science of reading, Wilson continues to provide materials and training aligned to scientific principles of reading instruction. Their certified teacher-training curriculum fills a critical gap in professional development for educators.

We All Can Read complements Wilson’s professional training model by making the same science-based instruction accessible to families, independent learners, and communities without access to certified specialists. Wilson built an excellent program for schools and trained professionals. We All Can Read built a program that brings the same systematic phonics instruction to everyone who can’t access or afford specialized tutoring.

Both approaches are valid. Both work. Choose the one that matches your resources, situation, and learning preferences.

The Bottom Line: Choose Based on Your Situation

Choose Wilson Reading System if:

Money is not a constraint ($10,000-40,000 budget)
You have access to Wilson-certified tutors
You’re a professional seeking certification
You’re a school hiring reading specialists
You prefer in-person, instructor-led learning

Choose We All Can Read if:

Budget is a consideration (under $900 total for one year of instruction)
You want to learn independently at home
You’re an adult teaching yourself to read
You’re a homeschool parent teaching children
You need flexible, self-paced learning
You live in an area without Wilson tutors
You want the same O-G methodology without the cost

The real question isn’t “which is better?” but “which fits YOUR situation?”

Ready to Get Started?

Try We All Can Read for Free

See if our self-paced Orton-Gillingham approach works for you. Our first 10 lessons are completely free—no credit card, no email, no obligation. If these 10 lessons help you improve, the remaining 710 lessons cost just $73/month—a fraction of Wilson tutoring costs.

The cost difference between Wilson Reading System and We All Can Read is substantial. Wilson requires certified tutors who charge $75-160 per hour, with most students needing 60-180 hours of instruction. This puts the total investment at $6,000-28,800 for complete tutoring. We All Can Read provides the same systematic Orton-Gillingham phonics foundation for $73/month—typically a total investment of $876 for one year of instruction.

Both programs teach systematic phonics effectively. The key difference is delivery method: Wilson requires one-on-one tutoring sessions scheduled around your tutor’s availability, while We All Can Read lets you learn independently on your own schedule. For adults who cannot access or afford Wilson tutoring, our program provides an evidence-based alternative that uses the same foundational methodology.

For a complete breakdown of how Wilson compares to other adult phonics options in cost and approach, see our Adult Phonics Cost Comparison Guide.

See the complete visual analysis
(14 page illustrated guide)

Have Questions?

Contact us – We’re happy to help you decide if our program is right for your situation, or if Wilson might be a better fit.

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