iReaCH™

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iReaCH™ Programme

Learn how to tackle reading comprehension and writing through vocabulary with our online lessons.

This programme is a non-MOE-funded intervention designed to support learners across varying ability levels through structured, sequential, and differentiated literacy instruction. Grounded in the Science of Learning (SoL), the Science of Reading (SoR), and guided by Orton-Gillingham (OG) principles, the programme provides tailored support based on each learner’s individual profile, strengths, and learning needs.

For learners requiring foundational support, instruction focuses on developing essential literacy skills through the five key components of reading instruction — phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Lessons are carefully planned to strengthen foundational decoding and language skills, enabling learners to build confidence and access the curriculum more effectively.

For learners who are ready for more advanced literacy demands, the programme also targets higher-order literacy skills such as morphology, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing. Through explicit instruction, scaffolded practice, and the purposeful integration of educational technology to enhance engagement and reinforce learning, learners are supported in managing the increasingly complex literacy expectations required in school and examinations. 

Lessons are customised to meet each learner’s specific needs, allowing Educational Therapists the flexibility to adjust pacing, allocate time across lesson components, and target areas requiring focused intervention. Aligned closely with the mainstream curriculum, the programme incorporates purposeful vocabulary instruction and educational technology to enrich learning and enhance engagement.

Resources are developed in-house to cater specifically to learners with literacy difficulties while also supporting learners who are able to engage with higher-level literacy tasks. Through a structured yet flexible approach, the programme aims to develop confident, competent, and independent learners who are equipped with the foundational and higher-order literacy skills needed for academic success.

iReaCH™ is NOT funded by the Ministry of Education (MOE), only the DAS Main Literacy Programme – [MA] (MLP [MA]) is eligible for an MOE grant. Please do contact your Learning Centres or our Customer Service at 6444 5700 (during office hours) should you have any queries. 

Who is this programme for?

For Primary 1 to Secondary 5

  1. Does your child experience difficulty in basic literacy skills?
  2. Is your child struggling to answer comprehension questions accurately?
  3. Does your child have difficulties with writing in an organised and relevant manner?
  4. Do you find that your child’s current vocabulary knowledge makes it challenging for them to express their ideas effectively?

Then iReaCH™ is for you!

A profiling assessment may be conducted to help place your child in a class that best matches their learning needs and ability level, ensuring appropriate and targeted support. 

Online Learning

In February, preparations for online learning was of utmost importance to DAS Educational Therapists as they began familiarising their students with Google Hangouts Meet and Gmail. Students spent approximately 10-15 minutes of their lesson getting to know their DAS email address and passwords and accessed Gmail and Google Hangouts Meet to get to know the functions as well as the necessary information they’ll need in order to continue their remediation should home-based learning be implemented. 

That was just the beginning of the big wave of changes that turned things around for our students, parents, and our colleagues. iReaCH™ has always stayed grounded on delivering quality remediation, by individualising instructional materials and accommodating learning differences within a very small group of learners.

Educational Technology

  1. Learn with Edu-Tech
    • Schools are increasingly using technology for teaching and evaluation. Various educational apps are used to enhance the learning experience, facilitating collaborative and interactive lessons.


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  2. In-depth thematic vocabulary study
    • Learn beyond just the definition of words!  Study them in context, and see how they can be applied to reading comprehension and writing through our thematic approach!


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  3. Targeted and Structured instruction for Reading Comprehension and Writing
    • Focus on specific comprehension skills, such as making inferences, interpreting figurative language, and more!
    • Hone your writing by learning new skills and building on existing ones through exploring various topics


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Main Literacy Programme – [MA] (MLP [MA])
Structured Mandatory Make-Ups (SMMU)

We want every child to get the very best out of our Main Literacy Programme – [MA] (MLP [MA]). The programme, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE), provides up to 80 hours of literacy support each year. Regular attendance (at least 75%) helps students build steady progress and confidence.

To ensure no child misses out, we provide catch-up lessons (Structured Mandatory Make-ups, SMMU) in Week 11 of each term. These lessons provide students with the opportunity to recover learning time lost due to public holidays, DAS closure days (effective from 2022 onwards), or when their attendance falls below 75%. This way, every child has the opportunity to stay on track and fully benefit from the programme.

What is SMMU (Structured Mandatory Make-ups)?

SMMU is a supplementary lesson. It is not intended as a one-to-one replacement for missed classes. Instead, it provides students with carefully designed literacy support through a structured and interactive online format.

Each SMMU lesson focuses on three important areas of literacy:
● Reading Comprehension
● Writing
● Vocabulary

Thoughtfully Designed for Students

All SMMU lessons are planned and curated by our team of experienced Educational Therapists.

The sessions include engaging activities that:
● Build on relevant skills students can apply in their academic work
● Strengthen comprehension skills and writing abilities
● Expand their vocabulary knowledge for greater confidence in reading and expression

Unlike our regular MLP intervention; which is tailored to individual learning profiles; SMMU is conducted in groups. This group format gives students a valuable chance to:
● Interact with peers
● Experience social learning opportunities
● Benefit from exposure to different teaching styles and perspectives

Why attendance for SMMU Matters

SMMU plays an essential role in ensuring that your child receives the full 80 hours of support promised under the MLP [MA]. More than just a make-up class, it is an opportunity for students to strengthen literacy skills, build confidence, and engage with learning in ways that will support them across all areas of their academic journey.

A Note to Parents

We want to assure you that SMMU is designed to be both beneficial and manageable for your child. Lessons are thoughtfully planned to keep students engaged, without overwhelming them, especially since they take place during the school holidays.

In addition, as education continues to evolve, online learning is becoming an essential skill that students cannot avoid in the future. Participating in SMMU gives your child valuable practice in learning effectively in an online environment; building independence, adaptability, and confidence in using technology for education.

Through SMMU, your child not only fulfils required intervention hours but also develops important academic and life skills that will serve them well in the years ahead.

Schedule for SMMU in 2026:

Year 2026

SMMU Dates

Term 1

17 March 2026 & 18 March 2026

Term 2

2 June 2026 & 3 June 2026

Term 3

8 September 2026 & 9 September 2026

Term 4

23 November 2026 & 24 November 2026

For more details on SMMU MLP [MA] lessons each term, please click here.

ARTICLES

DAS Support – Empowering students with learning differences

DAS equips educational therapists with in-house lesson plans to help students respond to bullying with care and discretion. We also engage parents through regular meet-the-parents sessions, workshops, and updates, creating a supportive network that empowers both students and families.

Read forum articles written by our team, featured in The Straits Times:
https://str.sg/uaBd
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/forum-policy-alone-not-sufficient-to-tackle-school-bullying

🧠 Therapist-Led Support

  • Custom in-house lesson plans
  • Designed to help students respond to bullying discreetly and constructively
  • Implemented by trained Educational Therapists

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Engagement

  • Belief in strong home-school partnerships
  • Parents play a key role in student wellbeing

📅 How We Involve Parents

  • Regular meet-the-parents sessions
  • Informative workshops and talks
  • Regular progress updates and communication

💬 Our Goal

  • Create a safe, empowering environment
  • Support students emotionally and academically through collaboration

They weren't diagnosed with dyslexia. But these children still need help with learning difficulties

Article by The Straits Time.

Featuring Serena Tan Abdullah, Director of the English Language and Literacy (ELL) Division

And Pearllyn Kang, Assistant Director of the SpLD Assessment Services

Some students struggle with reading and writing but don’t meet the official criteria for a dyslexia diagnosis. Despite this, their learning difficulties are real and still require support. DAS steps in to help these learners by offering intervention programmes tailored to their needs, even without a formal diagnosis. The article highlights the importance of early support and flexible teaching approaches to ensure no student is left behind simply because they don’t fit strict diagnostic definitions.

Read the full article here.

WRITE MORE, WRITHE LESS
By Melcher Tan, Senior Educational Therapist

Writing is a complex task. It involves skills such as planning, organising, using general knowledge and appropriate vocabulary, and ensuring spelling and grammar usage are accurate. In this article, we will look at one of the ways we can help them write better.

Read the full article here.

portrait girl studying online home

INTERGRATING GENERATIVE AI INTO ENGLISH LESSONS
By Juzailah Amin, Lead Educational Therapist

Discover how Generative AI sparks the imagination and fuels collaborative storytelling in English classes! Explore the world of collaborative storytelling through AI prompts and AI-generated illustrations that spark creativity and enhance learning. Join the journey where imagination meets smart tech in the classroom!

Read the full article here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

iReaCH™ is a specialised literacy programme that supports learners with reading, spelling, comprehension, vocabulary, and writing through structured and personalised lessons. Lessons are tailored to each child’s learning needs and ability level, helping them build both foundational and higher-order literacy skills with confidence.

No, with or without a diagnosis, your child will have access to the programme.

A profiling assessment may be conducted to help place your child in a class that best matches their learning needs and ability level, ensuring appropriate and targeted support.

From January 2027, all NEW students enrolled in the programme from Primary 1 to Secondary 5 will attend face-to-face classes at a DAS learning centre. Secondary students may have the option to attend classes online.

For EXISTING students transitioning into this programme, lessons will continue in their current mode of learning — either face-to-face or online.