How TaRL Improves Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Skills

Foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills are the bedrock of all future learning. Without the ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic, children struggle to keep pace with the school curriculum, leading to higher dropout rates, low self-confidence, and limited future opportunities. In many low- and middle-income countries, despite increasing school enrolments, millions of children complete primary education without acquiring these essential skills. The Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, pioneered by the Indian NGO Pratham and later adapted globally, directly addresses this crisis by reorganizing classroom practices to focus on children’s actual learning levels rather than their age or grade. This essay explores how TaRL improves foundational literacy and numeracy skills, why it is effective, and the impact it has on children, teachers, and education systems.

Understanding the Learning Crisis

Many education systems around the world prioritize moving children through grades by age, regardless of whether they have mastered previous content. This results in large numbers of students in higher grades who cannot read simple text or solve basic arithmetic problems. For example, assessments such as the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) in India and Uwezo in East Africa have consistently revealed that a significant percentage of Grade 5 children cannot read a Grade 2 text or perform basic subtraction. This learning crisis undermines the purpose of schooling and perpetuates cycles of poverty.

Traditional teaching methods often assume that all children in a classroom are at the same level. Teachers follow the prescribed curriculum without adjusting for individual differences, leaving slower learners behind. As gaps widen year after year, many children remain stuck at the foundational stage, unable to catch up. TaRL was designed precisely to disrupt this pattern by ensuring that every child, regardless of grade, acquires basic reading and math competencies.

The Core Principles of TaRL

TaRL is built on a few simple but powerful principles:

1. Assess learning levels, not just grades – The first step is to evaluate children using simple tools that categorize them according to their reading and math abilities. For literacy, levels might include: “beginner,” “letter recognition,” “word recognition,” “paragraph reading,” and “story reading.” For numeracy, children may be assessed on number recognition, basic operations, and problem-solving.

2. Group children by learning level – Instead of organizing the classroom strictly by age or grade, TaRL temporarily groups children based on their assessed skills. This allows teachers to target instruction to where each child is, making learning more achievable.

3. Use engaging, learner-centered activities – TaRL emphasizes interactive and hands-on teaching methods. For literacy, activities may include letter games, word-building exercises, and story reading. For numeracy, children work with physical objects, number cards, and puzzles to develop conceptual understanding.

4. Focus on foundational skills first – Rather than rushing through the grade-level curriculum, TaRL prioritizes mastery of reading, comprehension, and basic arithmetic. Once children gain these skills, they are better prepared to learn advanced concepts.

5. Short, focused instruction periods – TaRL sessions are often conducted for a set time each day or during “learning camps.” The concentrated focus on foundational skills within a limited timeframe produces measurable improvements.

How TaRL Improves Literacy Skills

Literacy development under TaRL follows a structured but flexible progression.

1. Letter and sound recognition – Children who cannot yet identify letters begin with games and drills that connect symbols to sounds. For example, using flashcards, songs, and letter hunts makes learning interactive.

2. Word formation and recognition – Once familiar with letters, children learn to combine them into words. Teachers encourage students to practice reading common words and use them in simple sentences.

3. Sentence and paragraph reading – Children move to short sentences and gradually to paragraphs. Group reading, peer support, and repetition strengthen fluency.

4. Story reading and comprehension – At the final level, children read full stories and engage in discussions to ensure understanding. Storytelling sessions help build both fluency and comprehension.

Through this step-by-step progression, TaRL ensures that children who were once “non-readers” gain confidence in reading. Because instruction is tailored to their level, children experience success quickly, which builds motivation. This learner-centered approach helps bridge the gap between struggling readers and the grade-level curriculum.

How TaRL Improves Numeracy Skills

In numeracy, TaRL moves from basic number recognition to arithmetic operations and problem-solving.

1. Number recognition – Children begin by identifying and sequencing numbers. Teachers use cards, sticks, and other local materials to make numbers tangible.

2. Understanding place value – Using bundles of sticks or stones, children learn the concept of tens and ones, forming a foundation for addition and subtraction.

3. Basic operations – Children practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with hands-on activities, such as grouping objects or playing number games.

4. Word problems and application – At advanced stages, children tackle simple word problems to apply arithmetic in real-life situations, strengthening reasoning skills.

This gradual approach prevents students from feeling overwhelmed and promotes mastery before moving on to complex concepts. Because the teaching is practical and interactive, children develop not just procedural skills but also conceptual understanding.

Evidence of Impact

Multiple rigorous studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have demonstrated the effectiveness of TaRL in improving foundational skills.

In India, large-scale implementations of TaRL by Pratham showed significant gains in reading and math. For instance, children in TaRL learning camps improved from recognizing letters to reading short stories within a few weeks.

In Africa, governments in countries such as Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria have partnered with organizations like TaRL Africa to adapt the model. Evaluations revealed that students in TaRL programs made twice the progress in numeracy and literacy compared to those in traditional classrooms.

Research consistently highlights that the simplicity and adaptability of TaRL make it scalable and effective across diverse contexts.

These results demonstrate that even children who have been “left behind” for years can catch up when taught at their level.

Why TaRL Works

Several factors explain why TaRL produces significant improvements:

1. Focus on the child, not the curriculum – By breaking away from rigid grade-level expectations, TaRL ensures no child is invisible in the classroom.

2. Quick feedback loops – Regular assessment helps teachers monitor progress and adjust instruction.

3. Active engagement – Games, group activities, and peer learning make literacy and numeracy enjoyable rather than intimidating.

4. Teacher empowerment – TaRL provides teachers with simple tools and methods, reducing their reliance on heavy textbooks.

5. Boost to motivation and confidence – Children gain a sense of achievement as they move through learning levels, fueling further progress.

Challenges and Considerations

While TaRL has proven highly effective, scaling it poses challenges. Teachers need training to implement the method consistently. Education systems must adapt timetables and curricula to accommodate level-based instruction. Community and parental support is also crucial to sustaining gains outside the classroom. Nonetheless, these challenges are surmountable, and many governments are now embedding TaRL in national education strategies.

Conclusion

Teaching at the Right Level represents a transformative approach to solving the global learning crisis. By focusing on where children are rather than where the curriculum expects them to be, TaRL ensures that every child acquires the foundational literacy and numeracy skills essential for lifelong learning. Its step-by-step, engaging, and child-centered methodology not only improves academic outcomes but also restores confidence and motivation in learners who might otherwise drop out or remain permanently behind.

As more countries adopt TaRL, the hope is that millions of children worldwide will gain the basic skills necessary to thrive in school and beyond. Foundational literacy and numeracy are non-negotiable for educational success, and TaRL has proven to be one of the most practical, scalable, and impactful ways to achieve them.