The Ultimate Field Guide for Educators and Parents: Making Sense of How the English Language Works

The essentials you need to know about the structure of the English language to kickstart improvements in reading and spelling

You may not have been taught how the English language works when you were in school. If not, we already have something in common! But since you can't teach what you don't know, this is the course for you if you want to help "break the code" of our language to help children be better readers and writers. Join this class to become a "word nerd!"

You can preview the course in the Curriculum section, but the modules won't open until you enroll in the course.


Course Curriculum



Your Instructor


Suzanne M. Knoelk
Suzanne M. Knoelk

My Credentials:

  • Master of Science in Reading from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL
  • Reading Specialist
  • Certified Orton-Gillingham teacher
  • Certified Level 1 Literacy Coach through Chicago Coaching Center
  • Nationally certified by the Academic Language Therapy Association as a Certified Academic Language Practitioner
  • Nationally certified by the International Dyslexia Association as a Certified Dyslexia Practitioner
  • Former Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Francis
  • Speaker at many literacy conferences and for dyslexia parent support groups
  • Board member of Everyone Reading Illinois
  • Former Vice President, Academic Language Therapy Association of Illinois chapter
  • 2017 Illinois State Board of Education Reading Specialist Stakeholder committee member
  • 2016 International Dyslexia Association University Accreditation Review Team member

My Philosophy:

As a classroom teacher, I was puzzled why some students struggled so much trying to apply phonics skills in their reading and spelling and why after dedicated instruction and practice, these students still were not fluent readers. I empathized with parents who didn't know how to help their children. My heart broke as I saw my students’ self esteem suffer and the gap continue to widen between their academic progress and that of their peers. I had to figure out how to help them!

In my search to find answers, I was led to the Children’s Dyslexia Center in LaGrange, IL. While I worked through the intensive Orton-Gillingham tutor training program, I learned what my struggling students needed was a different approach to teaching and learning. That different approach was multi-sensory, along with structured and sequential techniques. These new tools would benefit all of my students who have difficulty with reading and/or spelling.

I can only reach a small number of children by myself, but if I can teach these Multi-Sensory Structured Language strategies to parents and other educators, we can reach a large number of children! That is my passion, and that is why I've created these courses for you!


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
*THIS PURCHASE IS NOT REFUNDABLE* I feel confident that I've curated quality information and resources in this course. By purchasing the course, you are making an investment in yourself so that you can help children become better readers and writers. I believe in your commitment and will support your efforts to succeed!

What will you get with your investment in this course?

  • Effective resources and information to empower you to better understand and help children who have dyslexia and related learning differences
  • Strategies you can use tomorrow to reach and teach the children you care about
  • Access to our private Facebook group for ongoing support, encouragement, and communication
  • Efficient and flexible learning that fits into your life
  • Access to the information and resources whenever you need it
  • For the most part, English is predictable and really does make sense! Discover why so that you can help children "break the code" of English to become better readers and writers

Get started now!