The Complete RTL English Level 2 Review: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading at Home With 36 Structured Workbooks

What Is RTL English Level 2?

RTL English Level 2 is a comprehensive home learning pack designed specifically for children ages 4-6 who are beginning their reading journey. It is part of the broader RTL English curriculum, which has been trusted by families and educators since 1996 — nearly three decades of proven results. The Level 2 pack focuses exclusively on building the foundational skills that research has identified as critical for reading success: phonemic awareness, letter recognition, sound-letter correspondence, and early decoding.

Unlike many early literacy programs that rely on screens or passive learning (where children watch and click rather than actively engage), RTL English Level 2 uses hands-on, pencil-to-paper activities that actively engage children in the learning process. This approach aligns with research showing that handwriting and physical manipulation of learning materials strengthen neural pathways associated with reading in ways that digital activities cannot replicate.

The pack includes 36 structured workbooks, 979+ learning activities, 1,767 exercises, and 810 parent teaching notes — all delivered as a digital download for instant access. At $58.76 with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, it represents exceptional value compared to tutoring ($50-100/hour), enrichment classes ($200+/semester), or other home learning programs that charge monthly subscriptions.

Who Is It For?

RTL English Level 2 is ideal for: preschoolers preparing for kindergarten (giving them a significant head start), kindergarteners who need extra reading support, children ages 4-6 showing natural interest in letters and sounds, families who want a structured home learning component, and parents who want to actively participate in their child’s literacy development rather than outsourcing it entirely.

It is not designed for children who are already reading fluently (those children should consider Level 3) or children under 4 who are not yet showing interest in letters and print. For those families, the system offers a clear path forward when the child is ready.

Inside the 36 Workbooks: A Detailed Breakdown

The 36 workbooks are organized into six progressive modules, each building systematically on the skills developed in the previous module. This spiral curriculum ensures that children continuously revisit and strengthen foundational skills while adding new ones — a research-backed approach that prevents the “use it or lose it” forgetting curve.

Module 1: Print Awareness and Letter Recognition (Workbooks 1-6)

The first module establishes the most basic concepts: that print carries meaning, that we read left-to-right and top-to-bottom, and that letters have distinct names and shapes. Children practice identifying uppercase and lowercase letters, tracing letter forms, and connecting letters to familiar words (M for Mommy, D for Daddy). The multisensory activities include finger tracing, pencil tracing, letter sorting, and letter scavenger hunts around the house.

Module 2: Phonemic Awareness (Workbooks 7-12)

This critical module develops children’s ability to hear and manipulate sounds in spoken words — the skill that research shows is the strongest predictor of reading success. Activities include rhyming games, sound matching, syllable clapping, and beginning sound identification. Research consistently shows that phonemic awareness is the strongest predictor of reading success, making this module one of the most important in the entire program.

Module 3: Sound-Letter Correspondence (Workbooks 13-18)

Here, children begin connecting sounds to their written representations. The program introduces letters in a research-based sequence that starts with continuous sounds (m, s, f, l, r) before moving to stop sounds (b, d, g, p, t). This sequencing makes blending easier for young children because continuous sounds can be stretched and held. Each letter is introduced through multiple activities: tracing, writing, finding, and using the letter in simple words.

Module 4: Blending and Simple Words (Workbooks 19-24)

This is where reading truly begins. Children learn to blend individual sounds into simple consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words like “cat,” “sun,” and “hop.” The activities progress from sound-by-sound blending (c-a-t) to more automatic word recognition. Children also learn simple sight words that do not follow regular phonics patterns — words like “the,” “and,” “to” — which appear frequently in early texts.

Module 5: Word Families and Patterns (Workbooks 25-30)

Children explore word families (-at, -an, -ip, -op) and begin recognizing spelling patterns. This accelerates reading development by allowing children to apply known patterns to new words — a strategy that builds reading efficiency. The activities include word family sorting, pattern matching, and creating new words by changing initial sounds (cat → bat → hat → rat).

Module 6: Early Reading and Comprehension (Workbooks 31-36)

The final module brings all skills together in simple reading passages. Children read short sentences and answer comprehension questions, developing both decoding skills and understanding. They also practice writing simple sentences, reinforcing the essential connection between reading and writing that many programs ignore.

36-Workbook Completion Tracker

The 810 Parent Teaching Notes: What They Actually Cover

The parent teaching notes are what truly distinguish RTL English from other home learning programs. While most programs provide worksheets and expect parents to figure out the rest, RTL English includes detailed guidance for every single activity. Here is exactly what the notes include:

Learning Objective: A clear statement of what skill the activity develops and why that skill matters for reading. For example: “This activity develops phonemic segmentation, which helps children break words into individual sounds — a critical skill for spelling and reading new words. Children who struggle with segmentation often struggle with writing.”

Materials Needed: A list of any materials required beyond the workbook (usually just pencil, crayons, and scissors). The notes specify when household items can enhance the activity, but no special purchases are required.

Teaching Script: Suggested language for introducing the activity to your child. These scripts are not rigid requirements — they are starting points that parents can adapt to their own style. For example: “Let’s look at these pictures together. Can you tell me what sound you hear at the very beginning of the word ‘sun’?” The scripts eliminate the “I don’t know what to say” paralysis.

Common Challenges: Anticipated difficulties children might experience and strategies for addressing them. If a child struggles with blending sounds, the notes suggest breaking the task into smaller steps or using physical objects (blocks, coins) to represent individual sounds. These troubleshooting tips save hours of frustration.

Extension Activities: Optional activities for children who master the skill quickly or want additional practice. These extensions use everyday household items and can be done throughout the day — turning car rides, bath time, and grocery shopping into learning opportunities.

Assessment Guidance: Signs that your child has mastered the skill and is ready to move on, as well as indicators that additional practice might be beneficial. This removes the guesswork from knowing when to advance.

979+ Activities: Types and Educational Value

The 979+ activities in the Level 2 pack are carefully designed to engage young learners while building specific literacy skills. Here are the main activity types and their educational purposes:

Tracing and Writing (30% of activities): These activities develop fine motor skills while reinforcing letter shapes and sounds. Children trace letters with their fingers, then with pencils, gradually transitioning to independent writing. This multisensory approach strengthens neural connections between visual letter recognition and motor production — research shows this dual activation creates stronger memories.

Matching and Sorting (25% of activities): Children match letters to pictures, sounds to letters, and words to meanings. These activities develop visual discrimination and phonological processing skills while building vocabulary. The sorting tasks also develop executive function skills like categorization and attention to detail.

Coloring and Drawing (20% of activities): Art activities reinforce letter-sound connections (coloring pictures that start with a target sound) while developing creativity and fine motor control. The creative element keeps children engaged and motivated when they might otherwise resist “workbook time.”

Cutting and Pasting (15% of activities): These hands-on activities develop fine motor skills while reinforcing literacy concepts. Children might cut out letters and arrange them to spell words, or cut and sort pictures by beginning sound. The physical manipulation adds a tactile dimension to learning.

Games and Puzzles (10% of activities): Board games, card games, and puzzles make practice fun and engaging. These activities often involve family members, turning learning into quality time rather than “homework.” Children often request to play these games repeatedly, providing the distributed practice that research shows is optimal for learning.

How Level 2 Fits Into the RTL Progression

RTL English offers a complete curriculum from early reading through advanced literacy. Understanding where Level 2 fits helps parents plan their child’s long-term learning path:

Most children complete Level 2 in 8-12 weeks at a pace of 3-5 sessions per week. Upon completion, they are ready for Level 3, which builds reading fluency and comprehension on top of the decoding foundation established here.

Real Parent Reviews and Results

Sarah M., Mother of 5-year-old: “We started Level 2 when my daughter was 4.5. She could recognize some letters but had no concept of sounds. By workbook 18, she was blending CVC words. By workbook 30, she was reading simple sentences. The parent notes were a lifesaver — I never felt lost or uncertain about what to do next. Her kindergarten teacher was amazed at her progress.”

David K., Homeschooling Father: “As a homeschooling dad with no teaching background, I was genuinely nervous about teaching reading. It felt like such a high-stakes task. The RTL system made it straightforward — almost foolproof. My son loves the activities and asks to do his ‘reading games’ every morning. We are on workbook 22 and he is reading confidently. I cannot recommend this enough.”

Lisa T., Kindergarten Teacher: “I recommend RTL English to parents who ask how to support reading at home. The activities align with what we teach in school, and the parent notes ensure families are reinforcing skills correctly rather than accidentally teaching conflicting methods. Several of my students have made remarkable progress using this system at home — the difference is visible in the classroom.”

Getting the Most From Your Level 2 Pack

To maximize the benefits of RTL English Level 2, follow these research-backed best practices:

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

• Reading Rockets — Phonemic Awareness
• Scholastic — Reading Resources for Parents
• NICHD — Reading Disorders Research