How to Choose the Right Literacy Program for Your Learning Style

Learning to read as an adult can feel overwhelming - but it doesn’t have to be. In 2025, there are more literacy programs available than ever before, ranging from free online resources to structured, app-based programs and in-person tutoring. The challenge isn’t whether help exists - it’s choosing the right approach for your learning style.

Not everyone learns the same way. Some adults thrive with visual aids, while others need repetition, structure, or live interaction with a teacher. Finding the right program isn’t just about cost or convenience - it’s about matching the learning environment to how your brain processes new information.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the most common learning styles, explore which types of literacy programs align best with each, and explain how to make an informed choice. We’ll also show how programs like Nardagani: Learn to Read are designed to work across multiple styles, making them a strong option for many adults and English learners.

Step 1: Understand Your Learning Style

Before choosing a literacy program, it helps to reflect on how you learn best. While no two learners are the same, most people lean toward one (or a blend) of the following styles:

  1. Visual Learners
    Absorb information best through images, diagrams, and written examples.
    Need to “see it” to understand it.

  2. Auditory Learners
    Learn through listening and speaking.
    Remember information better when it’s explained out loud.

  3. Kinesthetic Learners
    Need hands-on, practical activities to grasp new concepts.
    Learn best by “doing,” not just watching or listening.

  4. Social Learners
    Thrive in group environments with discussion, feedback, and collaboration.

  5. Independent Learners
    Prefer self-paced study, digital tools, or solo practice.

Most adults are a mix. For example, you might rely heavily on visuals but also need to repeat sounds out loud to retain them.

Step 2: Match Programs to Learning Styles

Now that you have a sense of your style, let’s look at which literacy programs are likely to support your needs.

For Visual Learners

Best fit: Symbol-based or image-driven programs, apps with animations, or textbooks with strong visuals.

  • Why: Visual learners benefit from seeing the connection between letters and sounds, especially when spelling is irregular.

  • Example: A program that pairs each phonics rule with a picture or symbol helps the brain anchor the information.

For Auditory Learners

Best fit: Audio lessons, apps with voice prompts, or tutoring (online or in-person).

  • Why: Hearing words spoken clearly, then repeating them, strengthens memory.

  • Example: A tutor-led program — whether through an in-person session or a virtual call — where you read aloud and receive corrections can be ideal.

For Kinesthetic Learners

Best fit: Interactive games, writing practice, hands-on worksheets, and movement-based activities.

  • Why: These learners need to “do” rather than just listen or watch.

  • Example: Literacy apps that include writing exercises, quizzes, or tactile worksheets.

For Social Learners

Best fit: Group classes, volunteer tutoring sessions, or community learning centers — available both in-person and online.

  • Why: Collaboration, accountability, and peer encouragement make progress easier.

  • Example: Adult literacy classes offered at local libraries, nonprofits, or virtual group programs where students connect over video.

For Independent Learners

Best fit: Self-paced apps, online courses, or digital programs with flexible access.

  • Why: These learners want control over timing and progress, often balancing study with work or family responsibilities.

  • Example: Mobile apps that allow practice anytime, anywhere.

Step 3: Consider Practical Factors

While learning style is critical, it’s not the only factor. Ask yourself:

  • Budget: Do you need a free program, or are you able to invest in something structured? (We’ll dig deeper into free vs. paid in our next blog.)

  • Time commitment: Do you have 15 minutes a day or several hours a week?

  • Support level: Do you prefer self-study, one-on-one tutoring (online or in-person), or group classes (local or virtual)?

  • Goals: Do you need literacy for everyday life, career advancement, or learning English as a second language?

The right program balances learning style and practical realities.

Why Nardagani Works for Multiple Learning Styles

Many programs cater to just one style, but Nardagani: Learn to Read was designed to support a wide range of learners - children, adults, ESL learners, and even neurodiverse users. Here’s how:

  • Visual learners benefit from the 12 unique phonics symbols paired with memory hints and images. These act like “training wheels” for reading, making irregular English spelling easier to decode.

  • Auditory learners can practice with built-in voice-guided lessons and mouth/tongue animations, which show how sounds should be formed.

  • Kinesthetic learners engage with interactive games, quizzes, and printable worksheets, giving them a chance to practice hands-on.

  • Social learners and tutors can use Tutor Mode, which turns off the app’s voice so a parent, teacher, or volunteer can guide the lesson.

  • Independent learners appreciate that the program is fully digital, self-paced, and available anytime on iOS and Android.

Evidence of Success

In pilot programs across schools, detention centers, and international settings, learners improved by an average of two grade levels in just two months. Testimonials highlight how the system works for people aged 3 to 99, including ESL learners and adults who previously struggled with traditional phonics.

One user shared:

“Finally a great reading program for beginners 3–99!” — Former preschool teacher

Another said:

“Helped me improve my reading more quickly than other things I’ve tried.”

This combination of flexibility, inclusivity, and results makes Nardagani stand out as a program that adapts to your learning style, rather than forcing you into one rigid method.

Step 4: Test and Adjust

Even after choosing a program, it’s important to test it for a few weeks:

  • Do you feel engaged, or do you dread practice?
    Are you noticing progress (reading new words, understanding rules)?

  • Is the format comfortable for your lifestyle?

If something isn’t working, don’t give up - just adjust. Literacy is a skill that can be learned at any age, but the method has to fit you.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right literacy program is about more than availability - it’s about finding an approach that matches your learning style, lifestyle, and goals.

  • Visual learners need symbols, diagrams, and strong visuals.

  • Auditory learners benefit from repetition and guided pronunciation.

  • Kinesthetic learners thrive with interactive exercises.

  • Social learners gain from group or tutor-led settings.

  • Independent learners prefer self-paced apps or digital programs.

A program like Nardagani bridges these differences by combining visual symbols, audio guidance, interactive practice, tutor support, and flexible digital access.

Once you’ve identified your style and found the right match, you’re on the path to unlocking one of the most empowering skills of all: reading.

👉 In our next blog, we’ll tackle another key question: Are free literacy programs enough, or does paying for a structured program deliver better results? Stay tuned for Free vs. Paid Literacy Programs: Which One Actually Works?

You can learn more about the Nardagani reading program on our iOS & Android apps. Also you can watch Narda’s TEDx talk by Founder, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.”

Also Read

1. How to Learn to Read as an Adult: A Step-by-Step Guide

2. Why English is hard to learn? Rules, Exceptions, and a Smarter Way to Read

3. Why traditional reading method fails

4. A Realistic Plan to Learn to Read: Progress at Your Own Pace

5. Can you really learn to read without Phonics (Spoiler No)

App Masters Team