How Explicit Reading Instruction Builds Confidence in Struggling Readers

Learn how explicit and systematic reading instruction helps struggling readers gain confidence and fall in love with books through strong foundational skills.

Scott Long, M.Ed.

3/31/20262 min read

How Explicit and Systematic Reading Instruction Builds Confidence in Struggling Readers

For students who struggle with reading, confidence often disappears before skills do.

When reading feels confusing or unpredictable, students can start to believe that reading just “isn’t for them.” Over time, that belief can be harder to overcome than the academic challenge itself.

This is where explicit and systematic reading instruction makes such a powerful difference.

Why Struggling Readers Need Clear Instruction

Reading is complex. For some students, especially those who struggle, guessing strategies or loosely structured lessons only add to the confusion.

What helps instead is instruction that is:

Clear about what is being taught
Predictable in structure
Taught step by step
Practiced until it sticks

When students know what to expect and understand the purpose behind each lesson, anxiety drops and confidence grows.

A Personal Observation From Teaching

Over the years, I’ve seen students move from struggling readers to confident ones—not because reading suddenly became easy, but because it finally made sense.

There’s a moment when a student realizes they can decode words on their own. They aren’t guessing anymore. They aren’t relying on pictures or memorization. They’ve unlocked the system behind reading.

That moment changes everything.

I’ve watched students who once avoided books begin diving into full book series like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or Fablehaven—not because someone told them they had to, but because they could.

Confidence Comes From Competence

Confidence in reading doesn’t come from encouragement alone. It comes from competence.

When students understand how reading works and experience success through structured practice, confidence follows naturally. They begin to trust themselves as readers.

Explicit instruction removes the mystery. Systematic instruction provides a roadmap. Together, they give students the tools they need to succeed.

From Skill Building to Love of Reading

Once students have strong reading foundations, something powerful happens. Reading shifts from hard work to enjoyment.

That’s when we can lean into choice, exploration, and creativity. Students begin selecting books that interest them. They read longer. They read deeper. They start seeing themselves as readers.

The structure didn’t limit their love of reading—it made it possible.

Our Approach Moving Forward

At Provo Mountain Academy, we believe struggling readers deserve instruction that is clear, supportive, and effective.

By using explicit and systematic reading instruction, we help students build confidence one skill at a time. Once those foundations are solid, students are free to explore the joy and imagination that reading offers.

Because when kids can read, they want to read.

Written by Scott Long, M.Ed., Co-Founder of Provo Mountain Academy