Language at the Speed of Sight

An “important” and “alarming” (New York Times) examination of why many American students are falling behind in their reading skills 

The traditional methods of reading instruction do not work, and they cannot continue. As a result of flawed educational pedagogy and insufficient teacher training, over half our children still read at a basic level, and few become highly proficient.

Understanding exactly how children learn to read is more important than ever, and Seidenberg helps us do so by drawing on cutting-edge research in machine learning, linguistics, and early childhood development. In this revised edition, he also reflects on the positive impact of the “science of reading” movement—which he himself inspired—and explores overlooked opportunities to advance effective literacy education.

Language at the Speed of Sight offers a science-based examination of this most human of activities, and concrete proposals for how our society can continue to produce better readers.