EBLI vs Orton-Gillingham: What's the Difference?
Updated: Oct 12
If your child has dyslexia, you have probably heard that Orton-Gillingham (OG) is the gold standard. Programs like Barton and Wilson are built on it, and many families start there. But if your child has been in an OG-based program and progress has been slow, you may be wondering whether there is another way.
There is. The program we use is called EBLI, and it takes a different path to the same goal: confident, independent readers.
What is EBLI?
EBLI stands for Evidence Based Literacy Instruction. It is built on a linguistic phonics approach, sometimes called speech to print. Instead of starting with letters and rules, EBLI starts with speech, the part of language children already know, and connects sounds to the letters that spell them.
How is it different from Orton-Gillingham?
Here is the core difference in how the two approaches teach.
Where instruction starts. OG-based programs typically begin with letters and teach how they are pronounced. EBLI begins with the sounds a child can hear and maps them to print.
Rules vs. patterns. OG relies on explicit rules and syllable types that students learn and apply, in addition to the many exceptions. EBLI helps students notice reliable patterns, which is how the brain naturally learns.
Memory demands. Remembering many rules in the right order can be tough for students with low working memory, slower processing speed, or auditory processing challenges. Because EBLI works from sound to spelling patterns, it can reduce that load.
Practice materials. EBLI builds skills that transfer to real reading without depending on decodable texts.
Both approaches are structured and explicit, and both aim to teach reading systematically. The difference is in the starting point and the method, and for some children that difference matters a great deal.
Who might benefit from EBLI?
Families often come to us after trying other programs. EBLI can be a good fit for students who:
Have dyslexia
Struggle with working memory or processing speed
Have not made enough progress with another program
Have auditory processing challenges
Feel overwhelmed by rule-heavy instruction
Want accelerated progress
What results do students see?
We track data at the start, midpoint, and end of every student's progress. In our 2024 to 2025 case study of 76 students tutored online at Growing Through Dyslexia:
Students completed the EBLI scope and sequence in an average of 31 lessons
Students gained an average of 3.7 grade levels of reading progress
Curious about the timeline? Read our post on how long EBLI tutoring takes. For more on the method itself, see Unpacking Speech to Print (Linguistic Phonics).
What does tutoring look like?
Sessions are 50 minutes, one on one over Zoom, once or twice per week with a certified tutor. We start with assessment and build a plan based on your student's needs, adding supports when the data points to them.
We also back our work with a progress guarantee. If we don't see improvement by the end of the program in at least one measured area, you get your money back.
Funding options
Many families can use scholarship funds, ESA programs, or an HSA or FSA to help cover tutoring. Read our guides on scholarships and funding and using your HSA or FSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EBLI good for dyslexia?
EBLI is used with students who have dyslexia and other reading difficulties. Because it starts with speech sounds and teaches patterns rather than long lists of rules, many dyslexic students, including those with working memory or auditory processing challenges, respond well to it. In our 2024 to 2025 case study, students gained an average of 3.7 grade levels.
Is EBLI the same as Orton-Gillingham?
No. Both are structured and explicit, but they start in different places. OG-based programs like Barton and Wilson typically start with letters and rules. EBLI is a linguistic phonics approach that starts with speech sounds and maps them to spellings.
Can EBLI be taught online?
Yes. All of our tutoring happens one on one over Zoom, and our case study data comes from students tutored online, including families across the United States, Canada, and Thailand.
How long does EBLI tutoring take?
In our case study, students completed the EBLI scope and sequence in an average of 31 lessons. Every child is different, so timing varies. We assess at the start, midpoint, and end of the program so you can see progress along the way.
What ages is EBLI for?
The students in our case study ranged from first grade age through tenth grade age, with an average age of entering fourth grade. EBLI works for learners of any age. We accept students in Pre-K through adulthood.
Does my child need decodable books?
EBLI is designed so that students do not need decodable texts. Skills are practiced in a way that transfers to real life reading. We also offer high-low readers from Phonic Books, which pair accessible text with age-appropriate content so older students stay engaged and their independent reading does not feel babyish.
Does EBLI help with spelling and writing too?
EBLI teaches reading and spelling together, since both come from the same sound to print connection. We also offer writing support, and many families pair reading and spelling work with writing instruction.
Can I use scholarship or HSA/FSA funds to pay for tutoring?
Many families can. Funding rules vary by state and plan, so check our funding guides above or contact us and we will help you work out the next step.
Ready to find out if EBLI is right for your child?
Every child is different, and the best way to know is to talk with us. Learn more about our literacy tutoring or book a free consultation to talk through your child's needs.
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