A CALT is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. A CALT completes a two-year training involving learning intense, explicit, systematic instruction. The comprehensive training program for Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT) encompasses several rigorous components designed to ensure mastery of therapeutic instruction and assessment techniques. The training requires article analysis and book studies, 10 observations demonstrating lesson delivery, and instruction on how to differentiate instruction at the therapy level with a minimum of 700 hours of teaching hours. The training is a research-based approach that evolved from Orton-Gillingham. They must hold a master's degree and their expertise makes them uniquely qualified to address complex learning challenges, particularly for students struggling with dyslexia and related language-based difficulties. Through their specialized training and evidence-based approaches, CALTs provide targeted interventions that help individuals build strong foundations in reading, writing, and overall language skills.
3 Answers By Expert Tutors
Stacy K. answered 05/18/25
OG & Wilson Trained Gen/Special Educator and Phonics Instructor
A CALT stands for Certified Academic Language Therapist. CALTs are specialists trained to work with students who have language-based learning differences, particularly dyslexia and related reading and writing disorders.
They are certified to deliver intensive, structured, multisensory interventions grounded in the Orton-Gillingham approach or similar evidence-based programs. Their training goes far beyond that of a typical classroom teacher or reading specialist, often involving 200+ hours of coursework and supervised practicum work.
CALTs don’t just tutor, they diagnose patterns of difficulty, create individualized plans, and use explicit, systematic methods to help students develop foundational skills in phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, reading fluency, and comprehension.
In short, if a student is struggling with reading due to a language-based disability, a CALT is one of the most qualified professionals to provide targeted, effective instruction.
Good morning!
If you are talking about this in regards to language therapy, a CALT is a Certified Academic Language Therapist. They are specialist who can help people with written language-based disorders (ie. dyslexia) gain basic language skills. They provide one-to-one or small group interventions and techniques to help develop accurate and fluent reading and comprehension skills.
Hope that helps!
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