What is Sounds-Write?
For the last twenty years, we’ve been delivering our high-quality training program to thousands of education professionals to prepare them to teach all children to read and write in the most efficient and effective way.
About Sounds-Write
Sounds-Write is a high-quality, evidence-informed speech-to-print phonics program that gives children the strongest possible start in reading and spelling. Written by CEO John Walker and experts in e-learning, the program is built on a deep understanding of how the English writing system works, it offers a clear, structured approach that is simple for teachers to learn and highly effective to teach.
Our program provides explicit, systematic instruction that fits seamlessly into whole-class teaching and can be used for small group and interventions. Every lesson is designed to build automaticity, confidence, and genuine reading fluency.
For more than two decades, Sounds-Write has been trusted by thousands of schools, tutors, and parents around the world. Our training equips teachers with the knowledge and practical tools they need to deliver high-impact phonics instruction.
How to get started
Accessing our high-quality training is the essential first step. Our courses show you how to teach the program confidently, effectively, and with fidelity. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the theory that underpins Sounds-Write, along with the practical skills to support learners at every reading ability.
Training routes vary depending on where you are based.
Australia
We offer two ways to train: online or face to face.
Practitioner Online Training (6-week course)
A structured online course that allows you to study at your own pace each week. It includes:
- Presentations, lesson demonstrations, activities, and quizzes
- Online assignments required for your Course Certificate
- A full introduction to linguistic phonics and the theory behind the program
- Trainer support, feedback, four live Zoom sessions and access to a forum
Course structure:
- Week 0: 2 hours onboarding, introductions, and platform familiarisation
- Weeks 1–4: 8 hours per week completing content and assessments, including videoed demonstrations for peer feedback
- Week 5: 2 hours revisiting content; no new material
Recordings are available if you cannot attend live sessions.
New Zealand, USA and Canada
Practitioner Online Training (6-week course)
A structured online course that allows you to study at your own pace each week. It includes:
- Presentations, lesson demonstrations, activities, and quizzes
- Online assignments required for your Course Certificate
- A full introduction to linguistic phonics and the theory behind the program
- Trainer support, feedback, four live Zoom sessions and access to a forum
Course structure:
- Week 0: 2 hours onboarding, introductions, and platform familiarisation
- Weeks 1–4: 8 hours per week completing content and assessments, including videoed demonstrations for peer feedback
- Week 5: 2 hours revisiting content; no new material
Recordings are available if you cannot attend live sessions.
UK, Europe, and International Schools Following an English Curriculum
Training is included as part of an annual membership. Individuals and schools can access flexible, role-specific phonics training and begin learning straight away.
We offer several Training Pathways to support teachers, leaders, and support staff:
- Phonics Lead
- Trained Practitioner
- Senior Leader
- Reception Teacher
- Year 1 Teacher
- Year 2 Teacher
- Year 3 Teacher
- Year 4-6 Teacher
- Reception Support Staff
- Year 1 Support Staff
- Year 2+ Support Staff
- Interventionist
- School-Wide Support Staff
- Reading Volunteer
- Individual
The rest of the world
Training is included as part of an annual membership. Individuals and schools can access flexible, role-specific phonics training and begin learning straight away.
Contact us to explore training opportunities in your area.
Our Approach
Inclusive by nature
We champion inclusive, whole-class phonics instruction that keeps every child on the same learning journey. By teaching all students together, we build shared achievement and ensure no learner is isolated.
Built on research. Refined by practice
Sounds-Write is grounded in the science of learning and shaped by over two decades of classroom experience. Every element is intentional, aligned, and designed to deliver results.
Cumulative learning that secures lasting outcomes
Each lesson builds on the last, revisiting and retrieving prior knowledge so learners never lose ground. Teachers are equipped with the pedagogy and resources to guide students step by step.
Evidence-informed speech-to-print phonics
Learners are taught how spoken sounds map to written spellings, supported by strong research and daily classroom practice. This linguistic approach helps children understand the logic of the writing system and apply it confidently.
Our pedagogy is explicit, systematic, and designed to support all learners — from the very beginning of school through to fluent, confident reading.
What happens after training? Professional learning (CPD)
Training is just the beginning. Once you’re a trained Sounds-Write practitioner, you gain access to a complete suite of resources, ongoing professional learning, and digital tools that make high-quality phonics instruction easier, faster, and more effective.
All trained Sounds-Write practitioners gain access to:
- Lesson scripts, error corrections and wordlists
- Formative assessment tools (also known as Progress Checks)
- Access to a closed Facebook group with other Sounds-Write practitioners
- Whiteboard activities and resource generator
- And so much more!
Discover what’s included
Visit your local What’s Included page to see all the resources, tools, and training that come with the program — everything laid out simply, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Our mission
Our mission is to improve the life chances of children by ensuring that they become proficient readers and writers. We believe that teachers’ knowledge is key to achieving our mission, so we provide top quality, evidence-informed training for educators to teach reading and spelling effectively.
Our values
Our core values are simple. Integrity, inclusivity, social responsibility, commitment to excellence, evidence-informed practice and kindness make us who we are.
“The impact that Sounds‑Write has had on our reading and spelling results has been amazing. We’ve seen real improvement across all year groups and all areas of the curriculum. Achieving results like this for our children means they go on to be adults who are able to articulate themselves in life.”