Intensive training in decoding and spelling for two students with dyslexia in grade 5 and 7 : Intervention with the Wendick model Intensive Reading and interviews

This study investigated the effects of an intensive training period in decoding and spelling with the Wendick model Intensive Reading for students diagnosed with dyslexia. A further aim of the study was to examine the students’ experience of the intense training period. The study included three students, two intervention students in grades 5 and 7 and a control student in grade 5, with diagnosed dyslexia. During five weeks, the two intervention students were involved in intensive training in decoding and spelling with the Wendick model Intensive Reading. The results showed that the intervention students had become more confident in their decoding and spelling on the lists and words included in the training materials. Normalized and standardized pre- and posttests, conducted before and after the intervention, showed positive effects in decoding ability. However, no significant changes had occurred in spelling ability, although the intervention student in grade 7 showed some progress. The students' experience of the training were positive: their motivation had increased, they felt that they had improved both in reading and spelling, and they affirmed their willingness to continue training with reading lists. In conclusion, this study proposes that also older students with diagnosed dyslexia can benefit from intensive training in decoding and spelling