We understand it can be distressing to see your child not progress as expected with reading, writing or spelling. Taking action as soon as possible is critical. The earlier your child is exposed to the right intervention the better. For neurodiverse and dyslexic children in particular, research tells us that an evidenced-based structured literacy approach gives our children the best chance of becoming successful readers, writers, and spellers.
Literacy Connections is pleased to recommend the following tutors for one-on-one structured literacy tuition in Christchurch. Please contact the tutors directly for more information about their service including location, pricing and availability.
We also recommend parents take a look at our Resources page to gain further insight about what Structured Literacy is all about, especially the Dyslexia Evidence Based website.
Recommended Structured Literacy Tutors
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Working in Learning Support at a Christchurch primary school, Kelsey specialises in Speech and Language Therapy and uses Structured Literacy to support neurodiverse learners. She’s passionate about the Science of Reading and understanding how the brain learns to read. She’s excited to be using an evidence-based approach to help students gain confidence through knowledge and achieve growth in their learning.
E: literacywithsarah@gmail.com
Sarah completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Linguistics at Massey University, and during that time also gained her English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) qualifications. Following exposure to Structured Literacy at her children’s school, Sarah has completed extensive MSL training.
M: 021 032 3307
E: spellable.nz@gmail.com
Elizabeth is a speech-language therapist who specialises in supporting school-aged young people with their literacy and language skills to be better spellers, readers, writers and communicators. She is committed to ongoing professional development and upskilling her knowledge. She is based in Ilam, Christchurch.
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Miriam is a trained Primary School teacher with a BA with Honours in English. She taught for 8 years in the UK, in Nelson and Christchurch before taking a break to be at home with her three sons. When her middle child was in Year 2, it was noticed that he wasn’t achieving the way he should be, and she started exploring Structured Literacy and its positive effect on children with Dyslexia. Miriam has seen first hand the difference this approach makes, especially one on one and enjoys helping other children have the opportunity to succeed.
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Sally is a dedicated educator with twenty years of experience supporting neurodiverse tamariki, transforming negative learning experiences into positive success stories. Sally became qualified as a Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) tutor in 2019. Sally is passionate about helping struggling learners reach their full potential. She creates a safe and reassuring environment where her students can grow in confidence. Parents can trust Sally to provide expert guidance as she helps their children develop essential literacy skills. Coming from a place of empathy, Sally draws from her personal experience of raising a neurodivergent son. This first-hand knowledge allows her to connect deeply with both students and parents, offering not just structured literacy support, but also emotional encouragement and understanding.
E: stacey.nicholas.educator@gmail.com
Stacey has worked in several different learning environments over the past twenty years, including English language schools, universities, and primary schools, supporting all learners, including those with learning differences. Stacey is an experienced tutor with a Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Linguistics, and a Certificate in Teaching ESOL. She completed her Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) training in Palmerston North in 2017. Stacey completed the MSL training because she wanted to do more for neurodiverse learners, helping all students thrive, not just survive. Stacey loves to empower students, make their learning journey more enjoyable, and believes that knowing our students, educating with kindness, and providing the right kind of support help our ākonga to succeed. Stacey is based in Lincoln, Christchurch.
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
For the last eight years Cate has been working as a teacher aide supporting many students with dyslexia and other learning differences. Cate originally trained and worked as a physiotherapist where she first discovered a passion for working with children. Her interest in dyslexia and other learning differences stems from watching the struggles and frustrations of family members with dyslexia. She strongly believes that children learn best in a positive learning environment and works hard to build each student’s self-belief and confidence.
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Corinne has trained in Multisensory Structured Language (MSL) through the Institute for Multisensory Language Education (IMSLE) and is working towards becoming an Associate Member of the Australian Dyslexia Association. Originally working as a research scientist, motherhood changed the focus of her evidence-based practice to early years parenting support through empowering connected relationships for co-regulation. More-recently, her work supporting children with learning differences stems from her son’s struggles at school, and continuing his learning with home schooling. She has provided learning support to children in school, home education, and 1-to-1 tutoring settings. Corinne is passionate about building responsive and collaborative relationships in order to help struggling learners build their trust, self-esteem and literacy skills.
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Jo is a qualified secondary school teacher specialising in science. As a secondary school teacher Jo witnessed first hand the struggles many of her Year 9 and 10 students faced with their literacy skills and how this impacted their engagement with the curriculum. This prompted a shift in Jo’s focus to literacy and how it is taught in schools. In Jo’s words; “Structured Literacy makes so much sense to me. Addressing each facet of how to read, write and spell in a scientifically proven way ensures all students can unlock future learning.”
E: lucy@tutorcollective.co.nz
W: www.tutorcollective.co.nz
Lucy is a qualified primary school teacher with over 15 years of experience in education, teaching in both Auckland and Christchurch. She is passionate about literacy education, and believes every child deserves to feel successful and confident when learning to read, write, and spell. Lucy has seen firsthand the benefit of Structured Literacy instruction with her own child, and loves making a difference in her students’ literacy journey, as a tutor.