Professional Development

The Orton-Gillingham Associate Training (1:1 Instruction) has two parts: coursework and practicum.

The training consists of high-quality training in structured, multisensory language instruction that extends from basic phonics, reading, writing and spelling to higher level word attack and writing skills.

It is geared towards educators or reading intervention specialists who teach both elementary and secondary school students with dyslexia and other language-related learning disabilities.

This approach also gives participants the opportunity to learn the structure of written English through systematic and multisensory teaching techniques.

Feel free to contact ProD@fraseracademy.ca with any questions regarding the Orton-Gillingham Associate Training Coursework.

Early registration is advised.

The OG Associate Training Practicum must begin within 8 months of completing the coursework for the OG Associate Training course.

If a trainee wishes to begin the practicum beyond this timeframe, they should reach out to the Fellow. Depending on the time between course completion and the request to begin the practicum, the following option may be provided at the discretion of the Fellow and pending availability.

• Audit the OG Associate Training course

If a trainee would like to begin the practicum after 2 years of completing the coursework, they must re-register and take the course again.

To learn more about the OG Associate Training Practicum, please contact ProD@fraseracademy.ca.

The Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA) was established to set and maintain professional and ethical standards for the practice of the Orton-Gillingham Approach, to certify teachers and to accredit instructional programs that meet these standards.

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Colleen Chow, Accredited Training Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), is the Executive Director, Training & Learning at Fraser Academy. Ms. Chow is an International Dyslexia Association (IDA) Certified Dyslexia Specialist and a Professionally Certified Educational Therapist (PCET) through the National Institute of Learning Development (NILD).

Ellen O’Brien, Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA), has worked in Learning Services and as a classroom teacher at Fraser Academy since 2010. Ms. O’Brien is certified by the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), and a Level 1 NILD Educational Therapist.

• Proof of completion – OG Classroom Educator Training Coursework
• A Bachelor’s Degree

All coursework takes place at Fraser Academy, 2294 W 10th Ave (at Vine) in Vancouver.

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What is the application process for the Orton-Gillingham Associate Training (1:1 Instruction)?

• We process applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces in the course are limited.
• Upon receiving a complete application package, we will review it and if all of the prerequisites are met and we are able to offer you a space, you will be notified of your acceptance via email.

What can I expect the format of the OG Associate Training Coursework to be?

• The OG Associate Training Coursework is the foundation-level coursework in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Classes provide hands-on opportunities to learn the structure of the English language and practice multisensory techniques for teaching reading, spelling, and handwriting. Presentations include lectures, multisensory experiences and teaching demonstrations.

What is the workload like outside of class time for the OG Associate Training?

• Homework requirements include reviewing the course notes in preparation for daily quizzes.

What topics are covered in the OG Associate Training?

The OG Associate Training Coursework includes the following topics:

• Dyslexia and reading disorders
• History of the English language
• Morphology instruction in an OG lesson
• Vocabulary development
• Diagnostic and prescriptive instruction
• Grammar and elements of a sentence/sentence types
• Expository writing (basic paragraph)
• Formal and informal assessment
• Teaching self-monitoring skills
• 1:1 lesson planning and implementation
• The Academy structure and requirements

Will I get a certificate upon completion of the OG Associate Training?

• You will receive a letter indicating that you have completed the coursework. OG Associate Training Certification is available pursuant to completing the OG Associate Training Practicum under an AOGPE fellow.

Can I begin to tutor once I have completed the OG Associate Training course?

• The OG coursework contains the theory behind the Orton-Gillingham approach as well as the content that needs to be taught to students to remediate a language-based learning disability. Ideally, all students will take the OG Associate Training Practicum to learn to implement the theory taught during the course.

What is the job market like for OG tutors?

• There are three Orton-Gillingham schools in the Lower Mainland, and numerous private tutoring agencies that prefer OG-certified tutors. Additionally, there is a demand for private OG tutors.

Please submit an application package that contains the following via our online form:

• Completed application form
• Current resume
• $100 non-refundable processing fee (see below for payment options). Note: the OG Associate Training (1:1 Instruction) application fee will be waived if applied for in conjunction with the OG Classroom Educator Training.

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

We will review your application upon receipt and notify you by email of your acceptance into the course.

Part 1 – Associate Training Coursework

Costs for the OG Associate Training Coursework are:

• $100 non-refundable processing fee (includes criminal records check).
• $950 ($850 instruction + $100 materials). You are required to pay the full coursework tuition fee at the time of acceptance in order to complete registration.

As of the application deadline (two weeks prior to course start date), all course fees are non-refundable.

Part 2 – Associate Training Practicum

Completion of the OG Associate Training Practicum requires 10 observations over a period of at least 8 months. The fee is $225 per observation.

Please contact us directly for additional details. Space is limited.

Payment Options

• Interac e-transfer to the email address accountspayable@fraseracademy.ca (no security answer is necessary).
• Credit card at request.plastiq.com/pay-fraser-academy1 (this option incurs a 2.4% administration fee charged by Plastiq).
• Online banking with BMO, HSBC, Scotiabank, or any credit union by setting Fraser Academy Association as the payee and using your first name and last initial (in upper-case letters and without space) as the account number.

If you have any questions, please email ProD@fraseracademy.ca.