Phonics Tutor Online for Early Readers

How it works, in short

TaleemSquare phonics tutoring teaches early readers to decode words in live, one-to-one lessons. Tutors follow a systematic sequence: hearing sounds in words, matching letters to sounds, blending sounds to read, segmenting to spell, then digraphs, vowel teams and longer words, practised with decodable books.

This is the approach reading research supports, often called the science of reading. Lessons are short, active and fun. Plans start at $85 a month after a free assessment.

Also called:Reception to Year 2 (UK)Kindergarten to Grade 2 (CA)Foundation to Year 2 (AU)

Format: Live, one-to-one, online
Lesson length: 45 minutes
Level: Ages 4-8
Price: From $85 a month

What changes after a term of lessons

Reading lessons mix reading aloud, talking about the text and short written answers.

Sounds out new words

Blends letter sounds to read unfamiliar words instead of guessing from pictures.

Knows the code

Recognizes the common letter-sound patterns, including digraphs like sh, ch and th, and vowel teams.

Reads simple books alone

Reads decodable books with growing fluency and enjoys showing it off.

What we cover

Lessons follow your child's own school or homeschool curriculum. These are the areas we work on most at this level.

Phonemic awareness

Hearing and playing with the sounds in words: rhyming, first sounds, blending and splitting.

Letter-sound correspondence

Each letter's sound, taught in a set order, with handwriting practice.

Blending and segmenting

Joining sounds to read words and breaking words into sounds to spell them.

Digraphs and blends

Two letters that make one sound, and consonant blends like st, bl and tr.

Vowel patterns

Short and long vowels, silent e, and vowel teams like ai, ee and oa.

Tricky words

Common irregular words learned by noticing the tricky part.

Decodable reading

Books using only the patterns your child has learned, to build fluency.

Signs your child could use help

Guesses words from the first letter or pictures
Knows letter names but not their sounds
Struggles to blend sounds into a word
Reading at school is behind classmates
Gets upset or avoids reading time
Year 1 phonics check is coming up

One of these on its own is normal. Two or three together usually point to a specific gap, and finding it is what the free assessment is for.

Taught to your curriculum, wherever you live

Common Core Reading: Foundational Skills (K-2) and state literacy laws

Foundational skills standards cover phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, and fluency. Many states have passed laws requiring evidence-based reading instruction in the early grades.

Systematic synthetic phonics and the Year 1 phonics screening check

Schools in England teach systematic synthetic phonics from Reception, and children take the phonics screening check in June of Year 1. Tutors can follow your school's phonics programme.

Level: Reception to Year 2

Ontario Language curriculum (other provinces similar)

Ontario's 2023 Language curriculum puts explicit phonics and phonemic awareness at the center of early reading in Grades 1-3.

Level: Kindergarten to Grade 2

Australian Curriculum: English and the Year 1 Phonics Check

Phonics and phonemic awareness are explicit in Foundation to Year 2. Several states, including South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, run a Year 1 Phonics Check.

Level: Foundation to Year 2

Inside a 45-minute phonics lesson

One 45-minute session. Tutors adjust the timings to your child.

7 min
Sound review
Quick-fire review of sounds learned so far.
8 min
New sound
One new sound or pattern, with actions and writing.
10 min
Blend and read
Reading words with the new sound.
7 min
Spell
Segmenting words and writing them.
9 min
Decodable book
Reading a short book together.
4 min
Goodbye game
A quick game, and a note for you on WhatsApp.

How we teach phonics

Systematic sequence

Sounds are taught in a planned order, from simple to complex, and reviewed until they are automatic.

Multisensory practice

Children say sounds, trace letters and move tiles on screen, which helps sounds stick.

Decodable books

Children read books that match what they have learned, so they succeed and build fluency.

Short, lively activities

Activities change every few minutes to keep young children engaged and happy.

Mother and daughter using a laptop together — Lessons run live on Zoom from home, with a parent welcome to sit in.

Boy writing in his notebook — Short written answers build the habit of using evidence.

After each class you get a WhatsApp note: what was read, what clicked, and one thing to practise at home.

Simple monthly plans

$85a month for 2 one-to-one reading and English lessons a week

Free 45-minute assessment first
No contract, cancel any month
No registration fee
4-class money-back promise
Switch tutor at no cost
WhatsApp update after every class

Starter

2 lessons a week, best for keeping up with school

$85/mo

GrowthMost chosen

3 lessons a week, best for catching up + building confidence

$119/mo

Intensive

4 lessons a week, best for exam prep & fast improvement

$149/mo

Full pricing and how we compare

Common worries, honest answers

“Can phonics really be taught online to a five-year-old?”

Yes, with the right format. Lessons are active, with moving letter tiles, songs and games, and a parent nearby for the first few sessions helps.

“My child's school uses a specific phonics program.”

Tell us which one. Tutors can follow the same sound order and terms so home and school match.

“Is my child just a late reader?”

Some children take longer, but persistent trouble with blending is worth addressing early. The free assessment will tell you honestly what we see.

Frequently asked questions

What is phonics?

Phonics teaches children the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent, so they can decode written words by sounding them out and blending the sounds. Systematic phonics teaches these patterns in a planned order rather than leaving children to work them out.

At what age should a child learn phonics?

Most children start formal phonics between ages 4 and 6, in Kindergarten in the US, Reception in England or Foundation in Australia. Children who are still struggling to decode by age 7 or 8 usually benefit from extra, targeted phonics practice.

What is the science of reading?

The science of reading refers to the large body of research on how children learn to read. It shows that most children need explicit, systematic teaching of phonemic awareness and phonics, alongside vocabulary, fluency and comprehension, rather than guessing words from pictures or context.

How much does phonics tutoring cost?

One-to-one phonics lessons at TaleemSquare start at $85 a month for two 45-minute lessons a week, about $10.63 a lesson. Three lessons a week cost $119 and four cost $149, with no contract, no registration fee and a free first assessment.

How long does it take a child to learn phonics?

Most children learn the basic letter-sound code over one to two school years of regular teaching. Children who need extra help often make clear progress within a few months of consistent one-to-one practice, but every child is different.

Can you help my child prepare for the Year 1 phonics check?

Yes. Tutors practise the sounds and word types in the check, including real and pseudo-words, so the format feels familiar and your child can show what they know.

Phonics Tutor Online for Ages 4-8