A Realistic Plan to Learn to Read: Progress at Your Own Pace
For adults who never had the chance to master reading — or those struggling with learning differences like dyslexia — learning to read may seem like an overwhelming goal. But with the right approach, encouragement, and method, it’s possible to make serious progress in just two months or at your own pace.
This guide outlines a realistic and emotionally supportive 8-week reading plan for beginners. It centers around the Nardagani reading method — a phonics-based program backed by teachers, learners, and successful pilot programs.
Why Adults Struggle with Learning to Read
Many adults carry emotional scars from past reading failures. Whether due to undiagnosed learning differences, interrupted education, or simply being passed through a system that didn’t support them, they often feel embarrassment or shame.
But the truth is simple: learning to read as an adult is possible — and often faster than you think. The key is finding a method that’s intuitive, confidence-building, and aligned with how the brain naturally learns to recognize patterns in language.
Why Adults Struggle with Learning to Read
Many adults carry emotional scars from past reading failures. Whether due to undiagnosed learning differences, interrupted education, or simply being passed through a system that didn’t support them, they often feel embarrassment or shame.
But here’s the truth: learning to read as an adult is absolutely possible. The key is using a method that’s intuitive, confidence-building, and aligned with how the brain naturally learns patterns in language.
What Makes the Nardagani Method So Effective?
The Nardagani reading program stands out for its use of 12 simple symbols that clarify English pronunciation. These symbols are placed beneath letters and help guide learners through common sound patterns — eliminating the need to memorize complex spelling rules.
Why it works:
No guessing or memorizing irregular rules
Visual symbols show pronunciation clearly
Learners decode words from Day 1
Lessons build gradually — no overwhelm
Audio support and visual cues from the app
Confidence-focused, non-judgmental tone
The method is especially helpful for adults, because it doesn’t assume prior phonics knowledge and it’s structured to build success quickly.
Jazz The Bookworm
An 8-Week Plan to Learn to Read
This step-by-step plan reflects how learners use the Nardagani app: one symbol at a time, at their own pace. By Week 8, many older students or adults reach full sentence reading — though the timeline may vary.
Week 1: Build the Foundation
Goal: Begin learning Nardagani symbols and using them to decode full words confidently.
Day 1–2: Introduction to Your Reading Journey
Set goals and acknowledge any past frustrations
Create a quiet, comfortable space to learn
Familiarize yourself with the Nardagani method
Optional: Reflect on your current reading ability
Day 3–5: Learn 1–2 Nardagani Symbols Per Day
Start with the simplest, most common symbols
Practice saying sounds aloud and matching them to visual cues
Use in-app audio, guided lessons, and repetition to reinforce
Day 6–7: Start Decoding 4–6 Letter Words
Begin sounding out longer words using the symbols you’ve learned
Focus on symbol-supported words like “cake,” “bird,” and “fork”
Gain confidence reading words that once seemed intimidating
Milestone: You’re no longer just identifying letters — you're actively decoding full words. Confidence and curiosity are growing.
Week 2: Word Confidence
Goal: Continue growing your symbol knowledge and decoding early vocabulary.
Learn 1 new symbol every 1–2 days
Practice using the Nardagani avatar for audio support
Focus on early words with the symbols you've learned
Milestone: You’re building momentum and recognizing early reading success.
Week 3: Short Sentences
Goal: Read your first complete thoughts.
Use familiar symbols to read short sentences
Focus on flow and comprehension (not speed)
Listen, repeat, and follow along with the app’s voice avatar
Milestone: You're now connecting words and understanding meaning in context.
Week 4: Build Fluency with Longer Words
Goal: Strengthen reading flow and expand into longer, more complex words.
Continue progressing through the Nardagani levels — ideally Levels 3 or 4 by now, depending on the learner’s pace.
Begin reading longer words with multiple syllables that use several symbols in combination.
Reinforce understanding of symbol patterns and begin to rely more on sound recognition than decoding each letter.
Use the app’s audio avatar to follow along and improve pacing, rhythm, and pronunciation.
Reread previous practice books to build fluency, while advancing to new materials when ready.
Milestone: You’re comfortably reading longer words and sentences using multiple symbols — building fluency and confidence in real-time.
Jazz the Bookworm, a green J-shaped reading guide with silver hair and a purple scarf
Week 5: Reading with Rhythm
Goal: Continue growing confidence while reading sentences with more ease and natural flow.
Read longer and more varied sentences using words introduced in earlier lessons.
Practice reading aloud with the Nardagani avatar to improve rhythm and pronunciation.
Begin to feel the pace of natural reading — not just decoding words but following along more smoothly.
Revisit earlier symbol lessons as needed for review and reinforcement.
Milestone: You’re reading complete sentences with improved pacing, less hesitation, and growing confidence — the symbols are doing their job by reducing guesswork and overload.
Week 6: Strength in Repetition
Goal: Reinforce your foundation by looping back through previous levels and pushing forward when ready.
Continue progressing through Levels 5 or 6, depending on pace.
Strengthen recognition of previously learned symbol-sound patterns through repeated exposure.
Re-read practice materials to build fluency and reduce decoding effort.
Use the app daily to create a reading habit that’s consistent but low-pressure.
Milestone: You’re recognizing more patterns automatically and spending less mental energy sounding out each word — allowing you to read with greater ease and enjoyment.
Week 7: Confident Reading with Less Effort
Goal: Grow more independent as a reader — decoding becomes second nature.
Practice reading short paragraphs or early stories provided in the Nardagani program.
Continue listening and reading along with the avatar when introducing new symbols or sounds.
As your familiarity grows, you’ll find yourself reading more fluidly — a natural result of consistent practice, not memorization.
Milestone: You’re now reading full paragraphs with ease, feeling less mentally taxed, and more capable of navigating new material with confidence
Week 8: Review & Real-World Practice
Goal: Solidify everything you’ve learned so far and transition into independent reading with Nardagani-coded books.
Begin Level 10, which is a comprehensive review of everything covered in Levels 1–9. This helps reinforce key patterns and ensure lasting retention.
Once Level 10 feels comfortable, move into Level 11, where you’ll find 15 engaging short stories — all fully coded with Nardagani symbols.
These stories are designed to support your new skill in a real-world reading context while still offering the guidance of symbols.
Enjoy reading at your own pace. Go back and revisit earlier levels as needed — learning isn’t linear, and review is part of the process.
Milestone: You’ve completed all foundational Nardagani levels and are now reading full stories independently with symbol support. This marks a major achievement — your confidence and fluency have grown significantly in just eight weeks.
Real Results: Why This Approach Works
The Nardagani program has been especially helpful for:
Adults with dyslexia or reading anxiety
English language learners
Older students returning to literacy
Parents are learning to support their children’s reading.
Alt text: Adult learner smiling while reading a sentence on a tablet with Jazz, the book worm beside him
Encouragement for Beginners
Reading is a gift you deserve — and there’s no age limit to learning. If you’ve always wanted to read but didn’t know where to begin, this is your sign to start now.
Remember:
You’re not alone
Every step forward is progress
Confidence grows with each lesson
Symbols are support — not a crutch
Final Thoughts
With the Nardagani method, even absolute beginners can learn to read in as little as 5–8 weeks. This is a method rooted in simplicity, support, and success stories.
Start small. Stay consistent. You can learn to read — and it can happen faster than you think.
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