The Nardagani Reading Program Achieves Positive Results in India’s Latest Educational Study
Learning to read English is often one of the greatest challenges for students, especially in environments where English is not the primary language spoken at home. For many young learners, the struggle is not just about memorizing vocabulary but also about cracking the code of sounds, letters, and comprehension all at once.
The Nardagani Reading Program was recently introduced to students at Fathima Central Senior Secondary School in Chennai, India, as part of a study on reading speed and comprehension. The findings were promising. They suggest that Nardagani can help learners develop stronger reading skills—both in terms of speed and understanding.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through:
Why speed and comprehension matter in literacy
How the study at Fathima Central Senior Secondary School was conducted
What the results showed about Nardagani’s effectiveness
Why these findings are meaningful for students, teachers, and families
How Nardagani works for different types of learners
Why Reading Speed and Comprehension Matter
When people think about reading, they often picture children learning to “sound out” words. But successful reading involves much more than just recognizing letters. Two critical factors come into play:
Reading Speed – the pace at which a person can move through text.
Comprehension – the ability to understand, interpret, and retain what is being read.
According to widely accepted guidelines, a normal reading rate is about 200–300 words per minute (wpm). For comprehension, rates of 200–400 wpm are typical. Speed reading—reading at 400–700 wpm or faster—is possible, but often comes at the expense of understanding.
For students, striking the balance between speed and comprehension is crucial. Reading too slowly can make it difficult to keep track of meaning. Reading too quickly may lead to missing important details. The goal is to help students read fluently and with confidence—fast enough to keep pace, but clear enough to understand.
This is where structured programs like Nardagani play an important role.
The Study at Fathima Central Senior Secondary School
The research in Chennai set out with a clear purpose: to measure whether using the Nardagani Reading Program could improve both reading speed and comprehension for students.
Study Design
Location: Fathima Central Senior Secondary School, Chennai, India
Participants: A random sample of students across different grade levels
Methodology: Students were given pre-tests and post-tests using freereadingtest.com, an online tool that assesses reading speed and comprehension.
Intervention: Students participated in lessons using the Nardagani Reading Program.
Focus Variables: Reading speed (measured in words per minute) and comprehension accuracy.
By comparing results from before and after Nardagani instruction, the study could identify whether there was measurable progress.
Key Findings
The results were encouraging. Here are the main takeaways:
Initial Struggles: Before the program, many students had difficulty with phonics—they didn’t always know what sounds letters should make. This slowed down their ability to decode words.
Role of Age: The study noted that age influenced reading ability. Younger students tended to struggle more with comprehension, while older students showed greater improvement after intervention.
After Nardagani: Once the program was introduced, students showed significant improvement in both reading competence and comprehension.
Symbols as a Guide: The Nardagani system of 12 simple symbols placed under letters gave students a clear roadmap for pronunciation. As they practiced, they gradually transitioned to reading without symbols.
The conclusion of the study was clear:
“The Nardagani Reading Program helps the students mainly on learning to sound out words with symbols and move to reading without the symbols. This is the initial stage where readers like new readers, struggling readers and ESL students of all ages can develop their reading capability. After implying Nardagani as an intervention, we can see the significant difference in their reading competence.”
What This Means for Students
The study reinforced something educators already know: when students can decode words with confidence, comprehension follows.
For many children, the biggest roadblock in reading is not understanding big ideas—it’s simply being able to get through the words on the page. Once that barrier is removed, students are free to engage with stories, lessons, and knowledge more deeply.
Some key impacts for students include:
Confidence Boost: Reading feels less like a chore when the words finally “make sense.”
Better Retention: Understanding what’s read leads to stronger memory and academic success.
Motivation to Learn: Students are more motivated to practice when progress is visible.
Foundation for Higher Skills: Faster, clearer reading prepares students for advanced subjects and future learning.
Why the Results Matter for Teachers
Teachers in India and around the world face a common challenge: classrooms are full of students with vastly different reading levels. Some may pick up reading naturally, while others struggle for years.
The study’s findings suggest that Nardagani can act as a bridge program, helping teachers bring struggling readers up to speed more quickly. By incorporating symbols and structured exercises, educators can give all students the tools to succeed.
For teachers, this means:
More time focusing on comprehension and critical thinking, rather than basic decoding.
Easier classroom management when fewer students fall behind.
A practical solution that works for both new readers and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) learners.
How Nardagani Works
At the heart of Nardagani is a simple but powerful idea: English is easier to learn when you eliminate the guesswork.
The 12 Symbols
The system introduces 12 phonetic symbols that appear under letters. These symbols act as guides, showing exactly which sound to use.
For example, a student who sees the word “cat” with symbols knows instantly how to sound it out. Over time, the brain makes the connection naturally, and the student no longer needs the symbols.
The Learning Process
Introduce Symbols: Students learn a few symbols at a time.
Practice with Games: Memory exercises and interactive activities help reinforce learning.
Read Coded Books: Stories with symbols allow immediate application.
Transition to Normal Text: As confidence grows, students move to reading without symbols.
This step-by-step approach ensures that learners don’t just memorize words—they actually understand how English works.
The Broader Impact in India
The study in Chennai is significant not only for the students at Fathima Central Senior Secondary School, but also for the wider educational community in India.
India has one of the largest student populations in the world, with millions of children learning English as a second or even third language. In many regions, literacy rates are improving, but challenges remain when it comes to comprehension and fluency.
Programs like Nardagani could play an important role in bridging gaps:
Supporting ESL learners: Many Indian students encounter English primarily at school, not at home.
Accelerating progress: With limited classroom time, tools that speed up reading acquisition are valuable.
Reducing inequity: Students from different backgrounds can access the same strategies, creating a more level playing field.
Next Steps: Building on Positive Results
The Fathima Central Senior Secondary School study is just the beginning. The researchers themselves recommended that more studies be conducted with the Nardagani Reading Program. By testing across different schools, regions, and age groups, educators can gather even more data about its impact.
While this single study doesn’t claim to be definitive, it adds to a growing body of positive feedback from teachers, students, and parents worldwide. Each successful result strengthens the case for Nardagani as a valuable tool in the fight against illiteracy.
A Human Story Behind the Data
Behind every data point in the study is a student who feels more empowered today than yesterday. Imagine a child who once struggled to keep up with reading assignments. Words seemed like puzzles that didn’t quite fit together. After a few weeks of guided practice with symbols, the fog begins to lift.
The student starts to read faster, then understands more, and eventually raises their hand in class to participate. That small shift can change the entire trajectory of a child’s education.
That’s the heart of Nardagani: not just faster reading, but life-changing confidence.
Final Thoughts
The study at Fathima Central Senior Secondary School in Chennai showed what many educators have already witnessed: when students are given the right tools, they thrive.
The Nardagani Reading Program is not a magic wand. It’s a structured, research-informed system that removes barriers and empowers learners to succeed at their own pace. The positive results in India highlight its potential to make a real difference—both in individual classrooms and on a larger scale.
As more schools explore Nardagani, the vision becomes clear: a future where every child, no matter their background, can unlock the joy of reading.
👉 Learn more about the Nardagani Reading Program and watch Narda’s TEDx Talk, “A New Way to Learn to Read English.