EBLI: Leveraging the Science of Learning to Empower ‘Teaching the World to Read’

How is EBLI different from other phonics programs?

EBLI’s revolutionary approach challenges the limitations of traditional phonics programs (Moats, 1998) and offers a comprehensive solution to bridge gaps and enhance reading skills. By focusing on structured linguistic literacy instruction, EBLI empowers teachers to deliver engaging and interactive lessons that propel students to higher literacy proficiency. The program not only frees up valuable planning and instructional time for teachers but also integrates professional development for educators directly into the EBLI lessons . This unique approach ensures that teachers have the necessary tools and knowledge to implement evidence-based instruction effectively.  Studies indicate that coaching-based professional development can enhance teachers’ self-confidence, crucial for effective literacy instruction (Varghese et al., 2016). The online course is enhanced and revised yearly based on the feedback received from educators and others who have used the EBLI training and student lessons.

How does EBLI help students learn how to read?

By employing a speech-first approach to literacy instruction, EBLI provides effective mechanisms for struggling readers to decode and comprehend any text. Traditional phonics instruction typically relies on rote memorization of various rules, but empirical studies have shown that knowing those rules does not necessarily lead to improvement in students’ reading abilities (Carmen, 2006; Duncan, 1998; Endress, 2007). By contrast, research indicates that the speech-to-print approach, which includes encoding activities to decode like those found in EBLI, has been shown to yield better results (Weiser & Mathes, 2011). Moreover, the speech-to-print approach fosters a more comprehensive understanding of the English system. By explicitly teaching the five essential components of reading as well as handwriting, spelling, and writing, EBLI equips teachers with the necessary tools to guide students’ literacy development (National Reading Panel, 2000). Online training, along with ongoing coaching embedded into the student lessons, are provided extensively by EBLI. These facets support teachers in delivering targeted instruction, correcting student errors, and implementing research-backed strategies, ensuring that all students receive the instruction and support they need to become proficient readers, writers, and spellers.

How does EBLI work? Is EBLI research-based?

EBLI incorporates several key research-based strategies that are fundamental to the success of its approach. One such strategy is guiding teachers how to provide timely feedback to teachers, which has been shown to significantly improve instructional practices. Research indicates that brief, stand-alone teacher trainings are unlikely to result in substantial improvements (Yoon et al., 2007). In contrast, professional learning opportunities that offer ongoing support, distributed practice, and feedback are more effective in enhancing reading instruction and student literacy performance (Dunlosky et al., 2013). EBLI integrates feedback into its training through modeling, monthly coaching calls, and additional support systems for teachers. 

Providing brief instruction steps is another research-backed (Rosenshine, 2012) learning strategy employed by EBLI. The team at EBLI provides teachers with “how-to” steps for different error correction scenarios, ensuring they have a clear understanding of effective practices when teaching students how to read. By guiding teachers on what to do and what not to do during instruction, EBLI helps them refine their teaching techniques and improve student outcomes. Research (Brown, Roediger, McDaniel, 2014) says that it is important to not only teach what to do but what not to do to gain effective learning outcomes.

What is EBLI’s unique process to model instruction for teachers and students?