Reading confidence in class

Why this helps

For students with dyslexia, the classroom reading experience can feel exposing and anxiety-provoking, especially when reading aloud or under time pressure. Strategies that reduce public failure and increase choice can transform reading from a source of stress into a manageable, even enjoyable activity. This guide is designed for teachers and supporters, with practical adaptations that can be implemented with minimal preparation.

Practical steps

1. Give advance notice before asking a student to read aloud — warn them which paragraph they'll be reading so they can prepare.
2. Offer choice: "Would you prefer to read this alone, with a partner, or shall I read while you follow along?"
3. Reduce visual crowding by providing materials with larger print, increased line spacing, or on coloured paper.
4. Avoid putting students on the spot in whole-class settings; use small-group or paired reading instead.
5. Provide a positive, specific comment after reading: "I really liked how you read that character's voice."

Helpful tips

• Use reading buddies or paired reading to reduce the isolation of struggling with text independently.
• Allow extra processing time during assessments — this is a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act 2010 (UK).
• Classroom overlays, tinted glasses, and dyslexia-friendly fonts (e.g. Arial, OpenDyslexic) can improve access.
• Display a "reading toolkit" card on the student's desk with reminders of strategies that work for them.
• Build awareness in the class — normalising learning differences reduces stigma and peer pressure.