What Is EBLI? The Method Behind Our Success
Graphic with the title “What Is EBLI?”, an open book icon with a yellow checkmark, and the subtitle “Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction for All Learners.”
Why Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction Works for All Learners—Especially Struggling Readers
What Is EBLI?
EBLI stands for Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction. It’s a structured, research-driven method that teaches students how to read, spell, and write using the most efficient, brain-friendly strategies available. Unlike traditional reading programs that rely heavily on memorization or rigid phonics rules, EBLI teaches students to understand how the code of English works—logically and efficiently.
Developed by Nora Chahbazi of Ounce of Prevention and based on the work of Diane McGuinness, EBLI integrates decades of reading science into a single, streamlined approach. The goal? To get students reading accurately, fluently, and confidently—as quickly as possible.
How Is EBLI Different from Traditional Phonics Programs?
Most traditional reading programs focus on teaching letter-sound correspondences in isolation, often through memorization and repetition. While this works for some students, others—especially those with dyslexia—can get stuck in a cycle of guessing, sounding out, memorizing, and forgetting.
EBLI, on the other hand:
Builds phonemic awareness first, helping students identify and manipulate the smallest units of sound.
Teaches spelling and reading together, so students understand how sounds map to letters in both directions.
Focuses on accuracy before speed, allowing fluency to develop naturally.
Uses real words and meaningful content, not just decodables or drills.
The result? Students spend less time struggling and more time reading real books—and enjoying it.
Why EBLI Works for Students With Dyslexia
Because EBLI is based on the science of how the brain learns to read, it works for everyone—not just students with learning differences. That said, it’s especially powerful for students with dyslexia or other reading challenges, because it:
Targets the root causes of reading difficulty (like weak phonemic awareness and decoding skills)
Uses multisensory techniques that engage multiple areas of the brain
Builds confidence quickly, often showing progress in just a few sessions
Many families come to Growing Oaks after trying other programs that didn’t work. EBLI offers a new beginning—and a path forward.
What Does EBLI Look Like at Growing Oaks?
At Growing Oaks, we use EBLI in all our one-on-one tutoring sessions. Each lesson is:
Tailored to the learner (we meet them right where they are)
Multisensory and interactive
Focused on reading, spelling, and writing together, not separately
Whether your learner is 5 or 15, just starting out or catching up, EBLI gives them the tools they need to succeed.
Want to See EBLI in Action?
We offer free consultations so you can learn more about how EBLI might help your learner.
👉 Schedule an appointment at growingoaks.us/appointments