Some young people at secondary school still find reading slow or tiring. Help can make a difference at any age, but it needs to suit a teenager. Support that looks as if it was made for young children can put them off.

Start with school

Extra reading support is usually planned and run by school. Ask the young person’s form tutor, English teacher or the school’s special educational needs coordinator (SENCo):

• what they have noticed about reading in lessons;

• what extra help is in place, and how often;

• whether it works on reading words accurately, reading more smoothly, or both;

• how they will check it is helping; and

• what would help at home.

Involve the young person

Talk with them before and after any meeting. They should know why help is being offered and have a say in how it fits into their week. Support they have agreed to is more likely to stick.

If you are thinking about a tutor

Whether to use a tutor is up to you. If you decide to look for one, check that the tutor:

• finds the starting point before they begin;

• uses books and materials that suit a teenager;

• teaches a clear method step by step, with plenty of practice;

• shares progress with you and with school; and

• is clear about the cost and how to stop.

Some reading programmes are made for teenagers and adults. One example is That Reading Thing (paid), a structured programme taught one-to-one by a trained tutor, such as a teacher, teaching assistant or private tutor. Ask school whether it, or something like it, is already available before you pay for anything.

Be wary of anyone who promises fast results.

Keep reading at home low-key

Offer reading linked to their interests: articles, guides, graphic novels or books on a subject they care about. Audiobooks from the local library are free and let them enjoy books they can’t yet read alone.

Talamo has no commercial relationship with any of the organisations named here. We suggest them only because we think they could be useful to families.