What is Fast ForWord®?
Fast ForWord® is a research-based, adaptive programme designed to strengthen the underlying cognitive and language skills that are important for reading and learning. It can be used by children, teenagers and adults and is completed at home with individual support and monitoring throughout.
When used consistently, Fast ForWord® can help learners achieve 1–2 years of reading growth in just 40–60 hours of use.
Different Fast ForWord® programmes are available for primary school-aged children and for secondary school-aged learners through to adults.
Your Questions Answered
Who is Fast ForWord® for?
Fast ForWord® is for children from the age of 6, through primary and secondary school, as well as adult learners.
It can be particularly helpful for learners experiencing difficulties with:
Reading and literacy
Language and understanding spoken language
Auditory processing
Distinguishing speech sounds
Phonological awareness
Memory and sequencing
Processing speed and attention
Fast ForWord® has different modules for different age groups, using words and language appropriate to the learner's age. All learners begin by working on the foundational underlying skills before progressing through the programme.
My child has dyslexia. Is Fast ForWord® suitable?
Yes, Fast ForWord® can be suitable for learners with dyslexia. There is often an underlying auditory processing difficulty associated with dyslexia. This is one of the areas that Fast ForWord targets as well as memory, processing and attention.
The Fast ForWord® Dyslexia Points Alignment shows how Fast ForWord® exercises and features correspond with key areas of dyslexia instruction, including:
Phonemic awareness.
Graphophonemic knowledge.
The structure of the English language.
Linguistic instruction.
Strategies for decoding, encoding, word recognition, fluency, and comprehension.
These are just some of the areas covered within the programme.
My child struggles to read. Will Fast ForWord® help?
Yes, Fast ForWord® is designed to develop the underlying language and cognitive skills that are important for successful reading.
For struggling readers, the programme works on areas including:
Phonological processing
Working memory and sustained attention
Phonemic awareness and phonics
Sequencing
Vocabulary and more complex grammar
The exercises are adaptive, providing intensive practice at an appropriate level as the learner progresses through the programme.
My child is an English Language Learner. Is Fast ForWord® suitable?
Yes. Fast ForWord® can be particularly helpful for English Language Learners because it develops language, literacy and cognitive skills together.
Fast ForWord® provides intensive, adaptive practice in areas including:
English phonemic awareness and phonics
Speech-sound discrimination
Vocabulary and grammar
Listening and language comprehension
Memory, attention, processing and sequencing
Fast ForWord® also uses acoustically modified speech to help learners perceive and process English speech sounds more clearly.
Carnegie Learning describes Fast ForWord® as a tool for supporting English language acquisition and it is an approved WIDA Instructional Material.
My child has Special Educational Needs - is Fast ForWord® suitable?
Yes. Fast ForWord® targets the underlying skills needed for learning and can be particularly helpful for children with Special Educational Needs.
The programme develops important cognitive and executive-function skills including memory, attention, processing and sequencing, alongside reading and language skills.
Fast ForWord® takes a 3-in-1 approach, simultaneously developing:
1. Reading and language skills
2. Cognitive and executive-function skills
3. Social-emotional skills
Improvements in these underlying areas can make a significant difference to a child's ability to learn, listen, engage and become a more confident learner.
Some children make sufficient progress following Fast ForWord® that they are subsequently able to come off the Special Educational Needs register.
Fast ForWord® produces gains that last. The brain builds and strengthens new connections through the intensive training, and the learner continues to use these improved skills in everyday life.
How long is the programme and how many minutes a day are needed?
Fast ForWord® is completed for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, with two days off each week to allow time for consolidation.
I recommend that parents budget for at least 4 months, as this usually gives a learner sufficient time to complete the Foundational Modules and properly train the important underlying skills before progressing further.
The length of time it takes to complete the programme will vary from learner to learner and depends on their individual needs and progress.
I monitor progress regularly and manage progression through the appropriate modules.
The goal isn't simply to complete the programme — the goal is to help the learner.
What equipment do I need?
You will need a computer, laptop or iPad with a stable internet connection.
A computer mouse is needed to ensure quick responses. If using an iPad, the touchscreen is great for many children who find it easier to use.
A set of over-ear headphones is mandatory for Fast ForWord®.
If your child needs additional coaching, you will also need a headphone splitter and a second set of headphones, so that you can listen to the exercises alongside them
Full equipment and system requirements are provided before starting the programme.
Will I need to help my child?
Parents play an important role as coaches throughout Fast ForWord®.
The aim is for students to work as independently as possible, but many will need some support and encouragement, particularly when they are starting the programme or when an exercise becomes challenging.
You will not be left to manage this on your own. I monitor your child's progress regularly throughout the week and will contact you if I see that they are having difficulty with an exercise or if something needs attention. Where an intervention is needed, I will explain what to do and how to implement it with your child. I can also explain what an exercise is training and advise you on how best to support your child.
Your feedback is equally important. I can see a great deal from the programme data, but I cannot see what is happening at home. You may notice that your child is becoming frustrated, losing concentration or struggling with something that isn't apparent from their results. Keeping in regular contact allows us to work together and make sure your child receives the support they need.
My aim is to help your child become increasingly independent as they progress through the programme, while making sure that both you and your child have support whenever it is needed.
How much is the programme and how do I get started?
I will let you know the current Fast ForWord® fee when you contact me.
The fee includes:
Fast ForWord® programme access
Regular monitoring of your child's progress
Weekly progress reports
Progression through the modules as appropriate
Interventions where needed
Full email and telephone support
Video calls when needed
Guidance and support if your child needs you to coach them.
To get started, there is a short Service Agreement to complete. Fast ForWord® licences begin on the 1st of each month, and payment needs to be received before the end of the previous month so that I can order and set up the licence.
Payment can be made by all major credit and debit cards or by bank transfer.
Fast ForWord® – backed by research
Fast ForWord® is backed by 30+ years of neuroscience research and more than 300 research studies. Research has included over 100,000 students across 1,000 schools, with studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Independent reviews include:
21 studies meeting What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards for Adolescent Literacy, Beginning Reading and English Language Development.
Positive effectiveness ratings for alphabetics, comprehension, reading fluency and English language development.
A National Center on Intensive Intervention review of Fast ForWord® studies reporting medium to large effect sizes.