| Customer Support
We want to ensure each and every customer is satisfied with our product. Our Customer Support section answers many of your common questions and technical support issues. In the event we haven't covered your questions in this section, you are welcome to contact us.
Which product are you looking for?
Reading Horizons at Home (ages 10 to adult)
 Frequently asked questions about Reading Horizons at Home
Software Technical Support
Intensive Phonics at Home (ages 4 to 9)
Frequently asked questions about Intensive Phonics at Home
Software Technical Support
ESL Phonics at Home (ESL students of all ages)
Frequently asked questions about ESL Phonics at Home
Software Technical Support
Reading Horizons at Home Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reading Horizons at Home?
Reading Horizons at Home is a remarkably effective intervention tool for individuals ages 10 through adult. It teaches the basic foundational reading skills required for students to automatically recognize and read words.
Computer Software, Direct Instruction, or Both?
Reading Horizons at Home can be taught using individualized, interactive computer software or multisensory, direct instruction. A combination of the two approaches provides the perfect balance instruction for the student. Students work autonomously at the computer and then may receive reinforcement through parent/tutor-led direct instruction sessions including the use of student work packs.
Who Is Reading Horizons at Home For?
- Age 10+
- Reading ability: grade level equivalency of 0-6
- Inadequate spelling skills
- Learning disabled, including dyslexic
- Needs to see improvement quickly to maintain motivation
- English Language Learner
Once I purchase the program, how do I get started?
Click here to view a portion of the user guide on how to get started.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Program?
Most people complete the Reading Horizons at Home software curriculum in 40-60 hours of total instruction. This includes time spent in the Mastery, Drill, and Practice portion of the software.
How Much Time? Frequency?
It is suggested that people use the program daily; at a minimum, every other day. Computer lessons last an average of 25 minutes. Direct instruction and student work materials take another 20-30 minutes.
What Type of Improvement Can I Expect?
Students will see a dramatic improvement in their reading, spelling, writing, and pronunciation skills. Most students make 2-5 grade levels of reading improvement in as little as 40 hours. Learning the patterns and rules that govern the language builds confidence and self esteem and gives students the tools they need to read and spell unfamiliar text.
How Does Reading Horizons at Home Help ESL/ELL Students?
The concepts taught in the Reading Horizons at Home curriculum help ESL students improve their understanding of the structure of the English language. Current research shows the many benefits of teaching students the linguistics of their new language. Many ESL aids are provided both in the direct instruction materials and on the computerized version of the program. Please click here to visit the a Web site to learn more about specific product adaptations created to improve instruction for English Language Learners.
How Does Reading Horizons at Home Assess Student Progress?
Four interim tests fall at strategic points within the lessons and assess student understanding of the concepts taught to that point. If an interim test is failed, a prescription is formulated indicating the lessons that should be reviewed to internalize areas of weakness. The computer automatically resets the software to require those lessons to be retaken. Upon completing the review, the interim test is taken again and the student continues through the course. These tests work as a safety net, ensuring student mastery of concepts.
The Reading Horizons at Home Web site features additional excellent assessments that may be utilized free of charge.
Click here to view the assessments.
Why Should I Choose Reading Horizons at Home over Another Reading Program?
Most reading programs that are sold for use at home do not teach strategies; instead of teaching students "how" to read, they practice reading. Reading Horizons at Home empowers students with the skills they need to confidently break words down and read them. It also provides ample practice with each skill. Thousands of schools have made Reading Horizons at Home their readers program of choice for more than 30 years. It has worked for them and it will work for you.
Where did this program come from?
The roots of the HEC Reading Horizons product, Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself, are grounded in an intensive, explicit, systematic phonics program crafted in the early 1970s by education professional Charlotte Lockhart. Ms. Lockhart, a former elementary instructor and principal, created the original Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself curriculum in response to students' poor reading performance in her school's reading programs. By tutoring students in her office daily, Lockhart was able to teach her students quickly how sound and letter relationships create words. Young students learned to read and spell and lives were changed.
HEC Reading Horizons, located in North Salt Lake, Utah, distributed Charlotte Lockhart's instructional manuals for over 20 years. In 1984, HEC Reading Horizons created companion software, which provided individualized instruction and accompanying hands-on practice with Charlotte Lockhart's product, for elementary aged students. In 1987, however, the HEC staff became aware of the vital need for a sequential, basic reading program for adults. They applied for and were awarded an SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) grant from the federal Department of Education to produce the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself software for non-reading adults; the result was Reading Horizons. Thousands of sites and hundreds of thousands of older students have since reaped the benefits of the development of the Reading Horizons program.
How much does it cost?
Please refer to product page.
I live outside the US. Will there be any extra duties and/or taxes on my order?
It depends on your country. Each country has their own custom laws. You will be responsible to pay any duties and/or taxes charged according to your country's import policy.
What if I am not happy with the course after I receive it?
If you are not happy with the course after you receive it, you do have a 60-day money-back guarantee. That gives you 60 days to try out the course and make sure it is right for you. If after that time you are not happy with the course you can follow our return policy to receive a full refund.
What are the system requirements?
Windows
- Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, or Vista
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- SVGA 800x600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
- Macintosh
Macintosh OS X
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- 800 x 600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
Online Workshop
Interested in learning more? Participate in our Online Workshop by clicking here. You receive free access to this workshop with your purchase of the software.
Other
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Intensive Phonics at Home Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reading Horizons at Home?
Intensive Phonics at Home is based in the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself approach to reading English. It is an explicit, systematic phonics program employing a multi-sensory approach to teaching basic word attack/reading skills. Based on the Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction, Discover Intensive Phonics is flexible in its presentation and can be used with beginning students, students struggling with reading, and with ESL/ELL students.
How Is Discover Intensive Phonics at Home Taught?
The program can be implemented three different ways: individualized software, direct instruction with parent/tutor, or a combinations of the software and direct instruction. Computerized lessons, practice sessions, and phonics activities help students internalize decoding/word attack strategies for moreaccurate and fluent reading. The computer software lessons correlate with the multi-sensory, direct instruction lessons for individualized skill reinforcement. For more-detailed information on each of the following topics, please see the Web site links listed.
Click here to view the Intensive Phonics at Home overview.
Click here to view Sample Lessons.
Once I purchase the program, how do I get started?
Click here to view a portion of the user guide on how to get started.
Who Is Discover Intensive Phonics at Home For?
- Children ages four to nine
- Kindergarten through third grade
- Kindergarten through sixth grade SPED
- Learning disabled, including dyslexic
How Often Do I Teach, and How Long Does It Take to Complete the Program?
Intensive Phonics at Home computer lessons are designed to teach basic word attack/reading skills. Daily instruction ranges from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on child age/grade level. However, the amount of time the parent/tutor spends teaching any concept should be based on the ability of their child to master that concept.
What Type of Improvement Can I Expect?
Students will see a dramatic improvement in their reading, spelling, writing, and pronunciation skills. Most students make 2-5 grade levels of reading improvement in as little as 40 hours. Learning the patterns and rules that govern the language builds confidence and self esteem and gives students the tools they need to read and spell unfamiliar text.
How Does Discover Intensive Phonics at Home Track Child's Progress?
Discover Intensive Phonics at Home software features four excellent assessments:
- Grade level placement
- Most Common Word (sight word) Assessment
- A DIBELS-like assessment that measures the progress of students' pre-reading and early reading skills. It assesses a student's ability to read nonsense words and allows the administrator to identify any weakness in individual phonemes, vowel sounds, and/or word patterns.
- A Phonemic Awareness Assessment tests for rhyming; initial, medial, and final consonant sounds; blending; syllable identification; and phoneme isolation.
How Does Intensive Phonics at Home Meet the Needs of Special Education, ESL/ELL?
- Intensive Phonics at Home offers the capability to reach at-risk students. Students suffering from dyslexia or other learning disabilities have a crucial need for an explicit, systematic phonics program. The simple-to-complex sequence of Intensive Phonics at Home, along with its multisensory marking system and emphasis on phonemic awareness, makes this program ideal for students with special needs.
- Intensive Phonics at Home teaches ESL/ELL students the structure of the English language and can dramatically improve their pronunciation, reading, and spelling skills. The ability to individualize the program allows parents/tutors to meet the needs of each student. The software program contains a special pronunciation section, which allows students the capability of recording their voice as they pronounce sounds/words and then compare their pronunciation with that of the narrator's.
How Does Intensive Phonics at Home Assess Student Progrees?
Four interim tests fall at strategic points within the lessons and assess student understanding of the concepts taught to that point. If an interim test is failed, a prescription is formulated indicating the lessons that should be reviewed to internalize areas of weakness. The computer automatically resets the software to require those lessons to be retaken. Upon completing the review, the interim test is taken again and the student continues through the course. These tests work as a safety net, ensuring student mastery of concepts.
The Intensive Phonics at Home Web site features additional excellent assessments. Follow the link provided to access the assessments, free of charge.
Where did this program come from?
The roots of the HEC Reading Horizons product, Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself, are grounded in an intensive, explicit, systematic phonics program crafted in the early 1970s by education professional Charlotte Lockhart. Ms. Lockhart, a former elementary instructor and principal, created the original Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself curriculum in response to students' poor reading performance in her school's reading programs. By tutoring students in her office daily, Lockhart was able to teach her students quickly how sound and letter relationships create words. Young students learned to read and spell and lives were changed.
HEC Reading Horizons, located in North Salt Lake, Utah, distributed Charlotte Lockhart's instructional manuals for over 20 years. In 1984, HEC Reading Horizons created companion software, which provided individualized instruction and accompanying hands-on practice with Charlotte Lockhart's product, for elementary aged students.
How much does it cost?
Please refer to product page.
I live outside the US. Will there be any extra duties and/or taxes on my order?
It depends on your country. Each country has their own custom laws. You will be responsible to pay any duties and/or taxes charged according to your country's import policy.
What if I am not happy with the course after I receive it?
If you are not happy with the course after you receive it, you do have a 60-day money-back guarantee. That gives you 60 days to try out the course and make sure it is right for you. If after that time you are not happy with the course you can follow our return policy to receive a full refund.
What are the system requirements?
Windows
- Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, or Vista
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- SVGA 800x600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
- Macintosh
Macintosh OS X
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- 800 x 600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
Online Workshop
Interested in learning more? Participate in our Online Workshop by clicking here. You receive free access to this workshop with your purchase of the software.
Other
Back to Top
ESL Phonics at Home Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reading Horizons at Home?
Reading Horizons at Home is a remarkably effective intervention tool for individuals ages 10 through adult. It teaches the basic foundational reading skills required for students to automatically recognize and read words.
Computer Software, Direct Instruction, or Both?
Reading Horizons at Home can be taught using individualized, interactive computer software or multisensory, direct instruction. A combination of the two approaches provides the perfect balance instruction for the student. Students work autonomously at the computer and then may receive reinforcement through parent/tutor-led direct instruction sessions including the use of student work packs.
Who Is Reading Horizons at Home For?
- Age 10+
- Reading ability: grade level equivalency of 0-6
- Inadequate spelling skills
- Learning disabled, including dyslexic
- Needs to see improvement quickly to maintain motivation
- English Language Learner
Once I purchase the program, how do I get started?
Click here to view a portion of the user guide on how to get started.
How Long Does It Take to Complete the Program?
Most people complete the Reading Horizons at Home software curriculum in 40-60 hours of total instruction. This includes time spent in the Mastery, Drill, and Practice portion of the software.
How Much Time? Frequency?
It is suggested that people use the program daily; at a minimum, every other day. Computer lessons last an average of 25 minutes. Direct instruction and student work materials take another 20-30 minutes.
What Type of Improvement Can I Expect?
Students will see a dramatic improvement in their reading, spelling, writing, and pronunciation skills. Most students make 2-5 grade levels of reading improvement in as little as 40 hours. Learning the patterns and rules that govern the language builds confidence and self esteem and gives students the tools they need to read and spell unfamiliar text.
How Does Reading Horizons at Home Help ESL/ELL Students?
The concepts taught in the Reading Horizons at Home curriculum help ESL students improve their understanding of the structure of the English language. Current research shows the many benefits of teaching students the linguistics of their new language. Many ESL aids are provided both in the direct instruction materials and on the computerized version of the program. Please click here to visit the a Web site to learn more about specific product adaptations created to improve instruction for English Language Learners.
How Does Reading Horizons at Home Assess Student Progress?
Four interim tests fall at strategic points within the lessons and assess student understanding of the concepts taught to that point. If an interim test is failed, a prescription is formulated indicating the lessons that should be reviewed to internalize areas of weakness. The computer automatically resets the software to require those lessons to be retaken. Upon completing the review, the interim test is taken again and the student continues through the course. These tests work as a safety net, ensuring student mastery of concepts.
The Reading Horizons at Home Web site features additional excellent assessments that may be utilized free of charge.
Click here to view the assessments.
Why Should I Choose Reading Horizons at Home over Another Reading Program?
Most reading programs that are sold for use at home do not teach strategies; instead of teaching students "how" to read, they practice reading. Reading Horizons at Home empowers students with the skills they need to confidently break words down and read them. It also provides ample practice with each skill. Thousands of schools have made Reading Horizons at Home their readers program of choice for more than 30 years. It has worked for them and it will work for you.
Where did this program come from?
The roots of the HEC Reading Horizons product, Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself, are grounded in an intensive, explicit, systematic phonics program crafted in the early 1970s by education professional Charlotte Lockhart. Ms. Lockhart, a former elementary instructor and principal, created the original Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself curriculum in response to students’ poor reading performance in her school’s reading programs. By tutoring students in her office daily, Lockhart was able to teach her students quickly how sound and letter relationships create words. Young students learned to read and spell and lives were changed.
HEC Reading Horizons, located in North Salt Lake, Utah, distributed Charlotte Lockhart's instructional manuals for over 20 years. In 1984, HEC Reading Horizons created companion software, which provided individualized instruction and accompanying hands-on practice with Charlotte Lockhart's product, for elementary aged students. In 1987, however, the HEC staff became aware of the vital need for a sequential, basic reading program for adults. They applied for and were awarded an SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) grant from the federal Department of Education to produce the Discover Intensive Phonics for Yourself software for non-reading adults; the result was Reading Horizons. Thousands of sites and hundreds of thousands of older students have since reaped the benefits of the development of the Reading Horizons program.
How much does it cost?
Please refer to product page.
I live outside the US. Will there be any extra duties and/or taxes on my order?
It depends on your country. Each country has their own custom laws. You will be responsible to pay any duties and/or taxes charged according to your country's import policy.
What if I am not happy with the course after I receive it?
If you are not happy with the course after you receive it, you do have a 60-day money-back guarantee. That gives you 60 days to try out the course and make sure it is right for you. If after that time you are not happy with the course you can follow our return policy to receive a full refund.
What are the system requirements?
Windows
- Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, or Vista
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- SVGA 800x600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
- Macintosh
Macintosh OS X
- 200 MHz processor minimum (300 MHz recommended)
- 32 MB RAM minimum (64 MB RAM recommended)
- 20 MB hard drive space (up to 700 MB to copy lesson files and media)
- 375 MB (approx.) hard drive space for each additional language pack
- 800 x 600 monitor or better
- CD-ROM drive
- Sound card
- Speakers or headphones
- Microphone (optional)
Online Workshop
Interested in learning more? Participate in our Online Workshop by clicking here. You receive free access to this workshop with your purchase of the software.
Other
Back to Top
Software Technical Support
The following are common problems that can occur with the Reading Horizons at Home software.
| Problem |
The software will not accept my License Number during installation. |
| Solution |
Make sure you've entered the number exactly as it is shown.
|
| Problem |
I receive an error during installation that says certain files cannot be copied. |
| Solution |
First, make sure the disk is clean. If it looks okay, you may have a bad disk. Contact us for a replacement.
|
| Problem |
When I go to run the program, I get a message telling me the CD is not found. |
| Solution |
Make sure the Reading Horizons / Discover Intensive Phonics disk is in the tray. Also, make sure it is free of scratches or smudges. Also, make sure that your computer can read the CD by browsing to the CD drive itself on your computer.
|
| Problem |
"Error 5: Permission to access this file is denied" |
| Solution |
This is probably due to incorrect installation of the program. Re-install the program, making sure to have administrative access (if applicable).
|
| Problem |
The program runs, but there is no sound. |
| Solution |
Check the speakers. Make sure they are plugged in and the volume is up.
Also ensure you have the most recent drivers for your sound cards.
|
| Problem |
The program runs, but there are issues with the video. |
| Solution |
Ensure that other video plays on your computer.
Also ensure you have the most recent drivers for your sound cards.
|
| Problem |
The recording function in the software doesn't work. |
| Solution |
Make sure your microphone is installed correctly on your computer.
|
| Problem |
My User Icon has disappeared? |
| Solution |
This could be because there are several users with icons? Scroll through the list to ensure your icon is missing. If so, restart the program and check again. Reboot computer and try again.
|
| Problem |
The Lesson Buttons don't update correctly. |
| Solution |
Move on to the next activity. When completed, the previous buttons should update.
|
| Problem |
I passed a lesson, and the manager says that I have to take it again. |
| Solution |
Make sure the Interim Tests are not causing the resetting. Interim Tests will reset lessons that teach the content that was failed during the test.
|
| Problem |
I get a message that says it "Cannot find file." |
| Solution |
Re-install the program
|
| Problem |
The words are not displaying properly and the markings are off. |
| Solution |
Reboot computer. If that doesn't work, the fonts weren't installed correctly. You can find the fonts on the CD drive in the Programs folder.
|
| Problem |
The program "freezes" when I'm running the program. |
| Solution |
Reboot your computer. Make sure your computer is in good working order.
|
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