Language Tune-Up Kit^®

For Families and Schools

JWor Enterprises, Inc.

4254 Marland Drive

Columbus OH 43224-1901

Tel: 888-431-6310/614-784-8710, M-F, 9AM-5PM, Eastern Time

Fax: 888-329-0407

Background

The Language Tune-Up Kit (LTK) is a multisensory remedial reading software program that teaches skills in phonemic awareness and phonics. It is appropriate for children age 6 and older, teens and adults who currently read between grade 0 and 4.

Phonemic awareness is pre-phonics. It is the understanding that words are made up of different sounds. Phonics builds on that skill and teaches children to associate letters with those sounds and string them together to form words. A child with a severe phonemic awareness problem may not grasp phonics.

LTK uses repeated drills on nonsense words to be sure students are decoding words properly and not relying on memorization or guessing.

The LTK curriculum is based primarily on the Orton-Gillingham method of explicit, direct, systematic, intensive, sequential phonics. The technique focuses on building skills in phonemic awareness. At the conclusion of the program’s 87 lessons, a student will have the skills necessary to decode 85-90 percent of all words in the English language.

Supporting Research

Joe Torgesen, a reading researcher in Tallahassee, has found that two hours a day of one-on-one with a teacher trained to teach phonemic awareness and phonics has helped fourth- and fifth-graders dramatically. The one-on-one training is critical. Often, however, even in special-education classes, students must share a teacher with a dozen or so other pupils.

Another important factor is finding a tutor or a program that understands research-based strategies such as phonemic awareness. Most conventional educational testing for learning problems and disabilities doesn't check for phonemic awareness. The Language Tune-Up Kit is a program that specifically teaches phonemic awareness.

Twenty percent of the U.S. population has some form of learning challenge. Research compiled over the past thirty years has shown that these students require instruction in phonemic awareness. The Language Tune-Up Kit is particularly well suited to students with learning problems. It teaches the phonemic awareness skills necessary to acquire reading proficiency at all grade levels. It is also appropriate for students who can speak English and are literate or illiterate in non-English languages.

The Orton-Gillingham method of explicit, systematic, intensive, sequential instruction of phonics has been recognized as the most comprehensive method of its kind, teaching millions of students since the 1930’s. It is the most researched and most successful of all remediation techniques available today.

NICHD Study

Testimony on learning disabilities conducted by NICHD was presented before the Committee on Education and the Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 10, 1997. Dr. Reid Lyon, who presented the testimony, was Acting Chief of the Child Development and Behavior Branch National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a part of National Institutes of Health (NIH), at that time. NICHD prevention and early intervention studies were done at major universities in Houston, Texas, Tallahassee, Florida, and Albany, New York. Updates to this research were presented on April 13, 2000. Summaries of these research presentations are available on our website at http://www.jwor.com/research.htm.

Key Statements from the Testimony:

"Invariably, it is difficulty linking letters with sounds that is the source of reading problems and children who have difficulties learning to read can be readily observed. The signs of such difficulty are a labored approach to decoding or "sounding" unknown or unfamiliar words and repeated misidentification of known words. Reading is hesitant and characterized by frequent starts and stops and multiple mispronunciations. If asked about the meaning of what has been read, the child frequently has little to say. Not because he or she is not smart enough; in fact, many youngsters who have difficulty learning to read are bright and motivated to learn to read—at least initially. Their poor comprehension occurs because they take far too long to read the words, taxing their memory and leaving little energy for remembering and understanding what they have read.

"Unfortunately, there is no way to bypass this decoding and word recognition stage of reading. A deficiency in these skills cannot be appreciably offset by using context to figure out the pronunciation of unknown words. In essence, while one learns to read for the fundamental purpose of deriving meaning from print, the key to comprehension starts with the immediate and accurate reading of words. In fact, difficulties in decoding and word recognition are at the core of most reading difficulties. To be sure, there are some children who can read words accurately and quickly yet do have difficulties comprehending, but they constitute a very small portion of those with reading problems."

Language Tune-Up Kit Overview

New Features in Version 8

All LTK versions operate on Windows 7^® 32-/64-bit systems. There are no native Apple^®versions available.

What’s Inside the Language Tune-Up Kit

The Language Tune-Up Kit is a multisensory remedial reading program that contains 87 lessons designed to build decoding skills for non-readers. It is particularly suited to those with learning challenges. The student performs various tasks for each phoneme presented to show how letters, letter combinations and sounds form words. Correlations taught include comparing the number of letters in a word to the number of sounds, syllable division, word building, and decoding skills. The words and tasks become more complex as the student progresses through the lessons. New words are presented in groups of ten. Additional groups of ten words are presented if the student did not achieve 80% mastery for the lesson activity. Each Lesson contains six to ten lesson activities. All student errors are recorded. Quizzes at the end of each lesson measure student mastery.

The student performs various tasks to reinforce how letters, letter combinations and sounds form words. Next within each lesson is an Audio Recognition lesson activity. It emphasizes the correlation between letter sounds, letter combinations, and word formation. Variations of this activity are used for digraphs, syllables, blends, the doubling rule, isolated sounds, and letter/sound placement within a word. The Hint button provides multiple levels of assistance. Lessons 1-41 are devoted to single-syllable words. All student errors are recorded. Quizzes measure skills acquired.

Each of the 87 lessons contains two or more stories that reinforce the skills, words and concepts covered within. In lessons 1-87 the student completes a sentence about the story by typing the missing word, or answers one of the 649 story questions. The software speaks dictation words and phrases, and the student types them in response.

The sequence of skills and lesson activities for each lesson are shown in Appendix A, available at the end of this document.

The Language Tune-Up Kit is specifically designed to address the special needs child. It has been used very successfully with children who are literate and illiterate in their native language. It can remediate students age 6 and older, teens and adults.

Instruction is provided in English or in Spanish.

Lesson Activities

New Concepts and Words

An instructional segment begins each lesson. The concepts and phoneme(s) are introduced and examples are provided for reinforcement in a lesson activity named Build Words (see next page).

Card Deck

An LTK Card Deck, consisting of 108 phonemes, is integrated within the software. An actual Card Deck accompanies the program and is used by the student to follow along with the program and can be used as a reference tool when away from the program.

This lesson activity displays a phoneme, its keyword and associated graphic. The program pronounces the phoneme and keyword. The student is asked to record his or her pronunciation of the keyword and compare it to the prerecorded version. The student is then asked to write a sentence using the keyword.

Figure 1 The LTK Card Deck

Build Words

There are 7 variations of this lesson activity contained within the program. These lesson activities display an initial series of ten words. The letters of the word are displayed on the screen and LTK plays the letters sounds for each. Then the word itself is displayed. The student is asked to record the sound of each letter and compare his or her recording to the prerecorded pronunciations. The student is asked to count the number of letters and sounds in the word. Next, the student is asked to enter the phoneme for the word displayed (in the example shown below, the student is asked to enter the letter of the vowel sound for the word "dig"). If the student correctly answers the questions for 8 or more of the 10 words displayed, the next lesson activity appears. If not, an additional group of 10 words are presented and the 80 percent criteria is again evaluated.

Figure 2 Build Words lesson activity screen

Oral Reading

Each lesson contains Oral Reading lesson activities that provide the student with practice in reading words, sentences and stories. In the example of stories, shown in Figure 3, two story questions in Lesson 76 ask for multiple-choice response followed by a question that asks for a typed response (see Figure 4).

Figure 3 Oral Reading story lesson activity

Figure 4 Oral Reading question with typed response

Auditory Recognition

There are 7 variations of this lesson activity contained within the program. Each lesson contains Auditory Recognition lesson activities that present a word auditorily and ask the student to enter a missing or beginning/middle/end letter for the word. Other variations of this lesson activity ask for an isolated sound or digraph. In the example shown in Figure 5, the student is asked to type the missing letter for the word "stain". If the student correctly answers the questions for 8 or more of the 10 words displayed, the next lesson activity appears. If not, an additional group of 10 words are presented and the 80 percent criterion is again evaluated.

Figure 5 Auditory Recognition lesson activity

Dictation

Two forms of Dictation lessons activities appear in the first 58 lessons—Dictate Words and Dictate Sentences. In Dictate Words, the student types a word in response to auditory instructions. In Dictate Sentences, shown in Figure 6, the student enters up to five words in response to auditory instructions. Words are spell-checked as each letter is typed. Immediate feedback is provided when an incorrect letter is typed. If the student correctly responds for 60 percent words displayed, the next lesson activity appears. If not, an additional group of words are presented and the 60 percent criterion is again evaluated.

Figure 6 Dictate Sentences lesson activity

Quizzes/Games

LTK Quizzes are depicted as game-like lesson activities. They present five to ten words representative of skills covered within the lesson. There are 14 unique quiz types within LTK. The example shown in Figure 7 is for a syllable lesson. In this quiz, the student is asked to separate the syllables by clicking the mouse pointer between the letters. After the student responds, the program pronounces and presents the word in its separate syllables.

Figure 7 Quizzes/Games - Identifying Syllables

In the following Quiz for lesson 036, LTK pronounces a word and the student selects it from a list of choices.

Figure 8 Quizzes/Games Word Match

Sight Words

LTK Presents sight words at the end of most lessons. In all, there are 292 sight words presented throughout the program. The order of presentation is similar to the order of phonemes presented within the lesson sequence. Some sight words are presented as needed for Oral Reading lesson activities.

The sight word is presented on the screen and the student is asked to record his or her utterance and compare it to the prerecorded version. A Sight Word Notebook button is available on all student lesson screens, allowing the student to click on any word to hear it pronounced by LTK.

Placement Test

Students are provided with 3 word choices and the LTK program pronounces one of them. The student selects the word pronounced. If 2 errors in a row are made, or if the student misses 3 or more in a sequence of 10 words presented, the Placement Test is terminated and the student’s beginning lesson is automatically set.

Figure 9 Placement Test

Scope and Sequence Charts

The order of phonemes presented is based on the Orton-Gillingham method of explicit, intensive, sequential, structured phonics. The LTK Scope and Sequence Chart, shown later in this document, depicts the skills taught within each lesson and the lesson activities contained therein.

Classroom Implementation of LTK

A key challenge for teachers who teach remedial reading to learning challenged students is that it is almost impossible teach to them all using the same level of instruction in a classroom environment. Each student is at a different skill level, has unique needs and learns at his or her own pace.

The Language Tune-Up Kit is a self-directed approach to development of skills in phonemic awareness and phonics. The extensive reporting and student management system allows teachers and administrators to monitor student progress. Each student performs at his or her own pace and automatically receives the appropriate amount of practice needed for mastery. Teachers are then able to focus on specific needs and exceptions, thus becoming more productive in the process. A key benefit is the capability to teach multiple students at a time, each of which is at a different reading level.

Planning and Student Assessment

The primary planning requirement is to assess the student’s current reading skills before using the program. The LTK Placement Test is available within the Language Tune-Up Kit For Schools and Language Tune-Up Kit For Home packages, and can be used to place students at the appropriate starting lesson according to his or her current skill level. Placement Test reports assess current reading level, while other reports provide the tools needed by teachers to evaluate student progress and mastery.

Tracking Student Progress

As students progress through the lesson activities and quizzes, the program records all errors made.

Multisensory teaching methods are provided within each lesson. Groups of ten words are provided and 80 percent mastery is measured. If additional instruction is warranted, another group of ten words is presented. And so on. Quizzes at the end of each lesson assess the student’s mastery of the skills presented.

Four levels of reports are available to assess student progress—Summary, Progress, Detail and Placement Test. They are viewable by teachers, administrators and students.

Summary Report

The Student Summary Report shows overall time on the LTK system, average score while using the program, current lesson and current lesson activity.

Figure 10 Summary Report

Progress Report

The Progress report provides a quick assessment of student progress. Areas requiring additional practice or instruction are highlighted. Time on task and skills taught are summarized by lesson number.

Figure 11 Progress Report

Detail Report

The student Detail report shows all of a student’s errors made for each lesson.

Figure 12 Detail Report

Placement Report

The Student Placement Report shows a record of all tests taken by individual students. In this example, the student took the Placement Test once, was presented with 11 word groups (3 words in each group) and made 3 errors. As a result of the test, the student was automatically placed at Lesson 005.

Figure 13 Placement Report

Language Tune-Up Kit Packages (call or check our website for current prices)

LTK At Home

For student ages 7 through adult
Takes students to an 8^th grade reading level
Supports 2 students
Comprehensive Student Reporting System
All 87 lessons on one (1) CD-ROM
Includes one (1) LTK At Home CD-ROM and one (1) LTK Card Deck (LTK At Home User Guide is contained on the LTK At Home CD-ROM in Adobe Guide (LTK For Kids User Guide is contained on the LTK For Kids CD-ROM in Adobe^® .PDF format)

Computer Requirements:

Pentium^® class PC with 32-1024MB of RAM, 62-430MB of available hard drive space, color VGA monitor, Windows^® 98 SE/ME or Windows 2000/XP/Visa^®/Windows 7^® 32-/64-bit systems, CD-ROM drive, sound card, headphones or speakers and microphone. Also operates on Apple^® systems with Windows installed.

Special Price for a Limited Time Only: ~~$199~~ $129 (Add shipping & handling*)

LTK For Kids

For children ages 6-8
Takes students to a 3rd^h grade reading level
Supports 2 students
Comprehensive Student Reporting System
41 lessons on one (1) CD-ROM
Includes one (1) LTK For Kids CD-ROM and one (1) LTK Card Deck (LTK For Kids User Guide is contained on the LTK For Kids CD-ROM in Adobe .PDF format)

Computer Requirements:

Special Price for a Limited Time Only: ~~$129~~ $79 (Add shipping & handling*)

LTK For Schools

For student ages 7 through adult
Takes students to an 8^th grade reading level
Single PC and network Versions
All versions capable of supporting an unlimited number of students
Comprehensive Student Management System
All 87 lessons on CD-ROM
Included are one (1) or more LTK Card Deck(s) and one (1) LTK For Schools Teacher’s Resource Guide. The LTK For Schools Enterprise Network Version comes with one (1) CD-ROM (all files are stored on a Server), one (1) LTK For Schools Teacher’s Resource Guide and four (4) LTK Card Decks.

Computer Requirements:

Same as LTK At Home. Network versions operate on any network supported by Windows, including Novell^® networks.

Special Prices for a Limited Time Only** Place Order

Single Station Version - ~~$449~~ $279.
Enterprise Network Version - ~~$899~~ $499 (files stored on the network—all files can are stored on the Server—and supports increments of 100 students. Includes 100 Student IDs).
Additional Student IDs - ~~$399~~ $199 (adds increments of 100 student IDs to Enterprise Network Version)

School Purchase Orders are welcome!

**(Add shipping & handling*)

LAB PACKS (Add shipping & handling*)

Each Lab Pack includes one Teacher's Resource Guide and a CD-ROM and LTK Card deck for each Student PC.

Special Prices for a Limited Time Only** Place Order

Single Station

3 Student PCs: ~~$689~~ $399
6 Student PCs: ~~$949~~ $579
Additional PCs over 6: ~~$120~~ $60 each (per single order)

**(Add shipping & handling*)

To Order

Order Dept.

JWor Enterprises, Inc.

4254 Marland Drive.

Columbus OH 43224-1901

Call

U.S. & Canada: 888-431-6310, M - F, 9AM-5PM, Eastern Time

International: 614-784-8710, M-F, 9AM-5PM, Eastern Time

Fax: 888-329-0407

Our Web Site: http://www.jwor.com/

** Shipping and Handling

- Shipping amount varies by product and quantity ordered. See our website at http://www.jwor.com/ for the latest shipping information

LTK Scope and Sequence Chart

Lesson Skills Taught

Number Within Lesson

1-11 Short vowels: a, i, u, e, o; Consonants

12 Doubling rule: ff, ll, zz

13-17 Initial Blends: bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr, sk, st, sw, tw, sc, sm, sn, sp

18-22 Final Blends: ft, lp, nt, sk, sp, st, lb, lf, lk, lm, lt, ct, ld, mp, nd, pt

23 “y" as long "i"

24 "a" consonant "e", "i" consonant "e", “o" consonant "e"; Long vowels: a, e, i, o, u

25 "u" consonant "e”, "u" as "yu"

26 "e" consonant "e", "y" consonant "e"

27-28 Plurals: "s" as "es", "s" as "s”, VCE

29 "s" as "z" between two vowels

30-35 Digraphs: sh, wh, ch, tch, th (that, thin), ck, ng (ANG, ING, ONG, UNG), nk (ANK,

INK, ONK, UNK)

36 Long vowel sounds (closed syllable exceptions–IND, ILD, OLD, OLT, OST)

37-40 Long vowel teams: (EA, EE, AI, AY, IE, OA, OE, OW)

41 Three letter blends: (THR, SCR, SHR, SPL, SPR, STR, SQU)

42-43 Closed two syllables: vc/cv; vc/v,

44 Closed two syllables review; “ic” as /ik/

45 Closed two syllables: vcccv; blends and digraphs

46 Closed three syllables: vcccv; blends and digraphs

47 Silent “E”: Two syllables

48 Silent “E”: Three+ syllables

49 Silent “E”: Exception -ive (vowel sound long or short)

50 Compound words: two+ syllables

51 Open two syllables

52 Open three+ syllables

53 Open exception: one+ syllables (faded schwaa)

54 Ends with "y": two syllables

55 Ends with "y": three+ syllables

56 "y" as short "I"; “ui” (build)

57 Final consonant "le”: BLE, CLE, DLE, FLE, GLE, KLE, PLE, TLE, ZLE

58 Final consonant "le" exception: "-stle" (silent "t"), "-ckle" (digraph)

59 R-controlled: -er /er/, -ir /er/, -ur /er/

60 R-controlled: -ar

61 R-controlled: -or

62 R-controlled: -ear /air/, -ear /are/, -ear /er/, -ear /ear/

63 R-controlled: double "r" exceptions

64 R-controlled: Silent “e”

65 Endings: -ar, -or

66 Vowel teams: "oo" (school), "oo" (book)

67 Vowel teams: "au", "aw", "augh", "aught"; Soft "c"; Tented “o”

68 Vowel teams: "oi", "oy"

69 Vowel teams: "ou" (mouth), "ow" (cow)

70 Vowel teams: "ie" (piece), "ei" (vein, ceiling), "eigh" (eight); Soft "c"

71 Vowel teams: "ea" (bread), "ui" (build)

72 Vowel teams: “ew" (few/stew), "ue" (cue/blue), "eu" (feud/deuce), "ui" (suit), "ou"

(soup)

73 Vowel teams: Review

74 Vowel teams: exceptions (vowel team and adjacent vowels divided between

syllables)

75 "i" as long "e" (radio/orient)

76 Suffixes: -able, -en, -est, -ful, -ing, -ness, -ness, -y

77 Word family: /aw/, -ald, -alk, -all, -alm, -alt

78 Digraphs: "ph" /f/

79 ey as long "e"

80 igh as long "i"

81 W-controlled: wor /wer/ (work), war/wor/ (warm), wa (want); Double Dotted “a”

(father)

82 Suffixes: -ed /ed/ with “d”, “t”, /d/ voiced, /t/ unvoiced; -ish, -ly, -ment, -ty

83 Soft "c"; hard "c"

84 Soft "g"; hard "g"

85 Silent letters: -mb /m/, -gh /g/, -gn /n/, -kn /n/, -rh /r/, -wr /r/

86-87 Numbers: one/once, two/twice/second, three/third, four/fourth, etc.

Last Updated on: June 07, 2010