Glifing method for learning to read: what is it and how does it work?

What is the Glifing method for learning to read and how effective is it?

There are different methodologies to help children acquire the ability to read, some being more effective than others.

One of the most innovative is known as the Glifing method. We will dedicate the following paragraphs to analyze this system in order to know its main characteristics and also to be able to establish some conclusions regarding its effectiveness.

What is the Glifing Method?

The Glifing method is a methodology that serves as a support for those children who are experiencing difficulties in learning to read fluently.. The basis of this method is the use of a digital support, that is, a computer or a tablet, to perform a series of activities that help in this learning, always in a playful way.

In other words, the Glifing method method is presented to the child as a video game, in order to create a fun and motivating atmosphere that encourages the child's participation and thus achieve the objective of providing the child with the tools to learn the language.In other words, the Glifing method is presented to the child as a video game, to create a fun and motivating atmosphere that encourages the child's participation and thus achieve the objective, which is to provide the tools to overcome the difficulties experienced and learn to read correctly.

The importance of a good reading ability is vital, since this educational milestone will determine whether the child will have the necessary skills to overcome the successive ones. Therefore, if a child who is learning to read begins to show signs of difficulties in acquiring reading beyond the usual ones, and nothing is done to remedy this, he or she may have problems in other areas of learning in the future.

Precisely, the objective of the Glifing method is to avoid this possibility. The aim of this methodology is to to correctly lay the foundations of a good reading ability, not only because of the importance of this ability in itself, but also because of how necessary it is in order to acquire other new skills, which necessarily require a good reading level.which necessarily require a good level of reading and writing.

Characteristics of this method for learning to read

As we have already mentioned, the Glifing method is based on the use of a digital platform to perform exercises as if it were a video game. But before getting to that, it is necessary to start with a visit to a consultant specialized in this methodology. This professional will attend the case to adapt the system and create a customized program.

You will then be given remote access to the Glifing Method platform so that you can participate in the activities, which will be tailored exactly to the level of demand you need to experience improvement. This point is important, because a level that is too easy would not be providing you with anything, while one that is too difficult could frustrate you and make you lose motivation.

In fact, one of the advantages one of the advantages of this type of methodology is the ease of accessing the system from anywhere, so that the student can work with the system from anywhere.The student will be able to work with the Glifing method from his own home or wherever he is, without having to go to the academy.

Generally, a program of activity is outlined that includes a quarter-hour slot of use of the application, four days a week. The number of weeks required to achieve the objectives set will depend on what the professional consultant proposes, depending on the characteristics of the student, as well as on how well the course is used by the student.depending on the characteristics of the student, as well as on the student's use of the course.

As the sessions are short, there is no risk of falling into monotony and boring the child. On the contrary, the Glifing method is accepted as what it is, a game, which at the same time acts as a teaching method, thus uniting the playful and didactic objectives, which generates a great effectiveness.

Another feature of this product is that It has a system of scales to be able to frame each child at a certain level and thus be able to check their evolution.. This is also motivating for the student, as he/she is able to observe the progress he/she has made, which encourages him/her to continue practicing in order to improve his/her reading technique more and more.

What is known about its effectiveness?

Statistical analyses have been carried out to prove the effectiveness of the Glifing method. This work, carried out by the University of Barcelona, used a sample group of children suffering from dyslexia. Their reading abilities were studied before and after following a program with this methodology. A control group was also used to establish a comparison between them.

The experimental group carried out the corresponding sessions using the Glifing method, while the control group used only the educational guidelines dictated by the corresponding school or the programs that the parents themselves had assigned to treat their dyslexia.

Both groups were evaluated before and after, in order to statistically compare their performance. The measures taken into account for the analysis were the number of words each child was able to read in one minute, also taking into account the number of errors made during that time.

The PROLEC and TALEC tests were used for the control, as well as the Glifing method platform itself. The time between pre- and post-application was 5 months.

The conclusions of the study were very satisfactory in terms of demonstrating the efficacy of the Glifing method. And the fact is that, in the group that received this program, i.e., the experimental group, the average percentage improvement in the number of words read in one minute was 26.53%, going from an average of 82 to 104 words in 60 seconds.from an average of 82 to 104 words in 60 seconds. In addition, the percentage of errors made decreased from 2.33 to 1, a 57% decrease.

In the case of the control group, the improvement in the number of words read was 7%, increasing from the initial 77 words to the final 83. With respect to errors, there was also a decrease, but not as marked. The percentage drop was 15.5%, going from 3.47 errors per minute to 2.93.

The conclusion, therefore, is that Glifing method is effective and useful in helping children with dyslexia or other difficulties to improve their reading skills..

Possible psychological sequelae

When we talk about the consequences of reading difficulties, we must bear in mind that they are not only at the academic level. The fact is that the child can also suffer certain psychological consequences when involved in a dynamic that exceeds him/her and against which he/she does not have the adequate tools to manage. and in the face of which he or she does not have the appropriate management tools. Hence the importance of the Glifing method to avoid such problems.

The child's own frustration is the most evident sign. But it is not only frustration. This situation can make him angry and make him feel sad, because he would like to have a higher reading ability and thus be able to face the objectives that the school imposes on him. Not being able to count on it, he may feel rejection and even aversion to studies, putting at risk his educational success.

This can in turn generate a drastic drop in their motivation and even trigger a series of rebellious behaviors in the classroom. The philosophy of the Glifing method precisely shows that some children classified as rebellious or bad students may have these types of problems behind them, and if they were to be acted upon, they would be provided with the resources they need to get out of this negative dynamic.

The case of dyslexic students, moreover, is particularly dramatic. These children, who often have problems pronouncing certain phonemes, are often the object of ridicule by their peers, which is an absolutely unacceptable situation but which, unfortunately, continues to occur today in many places.

Obviously, the one to blame for this behavior is the one who is being teased, not the one who is being teased. But helping the child to overcome dyslexia, either with the Glifing method or with other techniques, can be tremendously rewarding for the child, as he/she will regain self-confidence and will also have the skills he/she needs to overcome the requirements of the school year, which from the beginning are based on reading and writing.

The role of the parents throughout this process will be fundamental. Not only by giving them access to the Glifing method or other methodologies, but also by being a constant support for them and creating a space where they can express their concerns and frustrations. This is the best way to help them overcome any possible difficulties they may have.

Bibliographical references:

• Díaz-Plaja, A., Cosials, À. (2012). La promoció de la lectura a l'escola. Anuari de l'Observatori de Biblioteques, Llibres i Lectura.
• Orna, J.B., Valdivia, I.M.A.. (2019). Socioeconomic factors and reading competence. Comparative study between two different educational contexts. Athens.
• Ortiz, M.G. (2014). AVESEDARI. Presentació d'un projecte que atén les Dificultats d'Aprenentatge de la Lectura. Àmbits de Psicopedagogia i Orientació.