Books, Knowledge and Attention: The Science of Reading
2026-10-02 09:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | British International School of Washington, 2001 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, DC, 20007, United States
This workshop is designed to support teachers and school leaders in deepening their understanding of the Science of Reading and, crucially, in turning that research into classroom practice that is intentional, coherent, and effective. While awareness of the Science of Reading has grown rapidly, many educators are still grappling with how to apply the research in ways that genuinely improve student understanding. This session bridges that gap, connecting evidence to pedagogy and curriculum so that reading instruction leads to meaningful, lasting learning.
The session will be delivered by Doug Lemov and the team from Teach Like a Champion, drawing on decades of classroom observation, instructional design, and professional learning with schools across the United States and internationally. The focus is on what works in real classrooms and how great teachers consistently help students read with insight, confidence, and purpose.
The workshop concentrates on the phase of reading development that begins once students have mastered letter–sound correspondence, roughly from Grades 3 through 12, when the primary challenge shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. Participants will explore what research reveals about how students build meaning from complex texts, develop deep comprehension, and transfer understanding across subjects, including English language arts, history, and science.
Facilitators will guide participants through key research on the role of fluency, background knowledge, vocabulary, attention, and writing in reading comprehension. We’ll examine how these elements work together, why comprehension cannot be taught as a generic skill, and how strong curriculum design ensures that all student, regardless of background, can access and succeed with challenging texts. Particular attention will be given to designing effective close reading tasks that promote productive struggle and help students think more deeply and independently about what they read.
Throughout the workshop, participants will study video examples from real classrooms, analyze lesson plans grounded in research, and engage in structured discussion and reflection. The emphasis is firmly on practice – what this looks like in real classrooms, how it fits within existing curricula, and how teachers and leaders can make immediate, high-impact changes to instruction.
Who should attend?
This workshop is suitable for educators working with students in Grades 3–12, including:

Elementary, middle, and high school teachers responsible for reading, English language arts, and content-area literacy
Literacy coaches and instructional specialists supporting curriculum design and classroom practice
School and district leaders seeking a research-aligned approach to improving reading comprehension outcomes
Curriculum leaders and coaches responsible for selecting, adapting, or implementing high-quality instructional materials

Whether you are strengthening classroom instruction or leading literacy improvement across a school or district, this workshop provides a shared understanding, practical strategies, and common language to support better reading outcomes at scale.
Schools will also have the option to purchase the Implementation Toolkit, which includes a full set of workshop materials, alongside additional planning tools and training resources to support sustained, school-wide implementation.
Cost and location
The workshop is priced at $230 per person, which includes lunch and refreshments on the day. Invoices are available upon request.
Group bundles are available for schools and districts purchasing three or more places, a great option for teams looking to build shared understanding and align practice. To find out more about group pricing, please contact our team.
We’re also offering an enhanced professional learning package. For $285 per person, attendees will receive:

Full access to this workshop with Doug Lemov, and
A ticket to Washington, D.C. Festival of Education, taking place on October 3

This combined package offers exceptional value and the opportunity to further develop your teaching practice through exposure to a wide range of leading educators, ideas, and classroom-tested strategies. Group bundles also apply for this offer.
People booking before the 31 March 2026 will get a 15% discount.
Location
The training will take place at The British International School of Washington, the new home of the Washington, D.C. Festival of Education. The school provides a professional, inspiring setting for high-quality learning and collaboration, right in the heart of the D.C. education community.

Washington, D.C. Festival of Education
2026-10-03 | British International School of Washington, 2001 Wisconsin Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, DC, 20007, United States
The Washington, D.C. Festival of Education is a unique professional learning event that brings together a vibrant and diverse community of educators. Now in its fourth year, the Festival enters an exciting new chapter as it moves to the British International School of Washington, right in the heart of the nation’s capital, on Saturday 3rd October 2026.
Building on three successful years that welcomed hundreds of educators from across the United States and beyond, the Festival has become a flagship gathering for anyone working in education. It offers an inclusive and inspiring space for learning, dialogue, and collaboration.
At the heart of the Festival is the belief that professional development should be engaging, energising, and joyful. Far from a traditional conference, it brings together thought-provoking sessions, influential voices, and interactive experiences, all designed to spark meaningful conversations and build lasting connections.
Guided by the principle “where those who inspire find their own inspiration” the Washington, D.C. Festival of Education celebrates bold ideas, encourages fresh thinking, and champions the innovation shaping today’s education landscape.
Join us in the capital for a day of learning, reflection, and inspiration
To book your tickets, visit the Festival website.

Teach Like a Champion Live in Bangkok: The Science of Reading in Action
2026-11-06 08:30 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | Grande Centre Point Prestige Bangkok, 153 ถนนราชดำริห์ Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Join Doug Lemov for an exclusive training event in Bangkok. This one-day professional learning experience offers educators the opportunity to learn directly from one of the world’s most influential voices in teaching and learning.
Drawing on the latest research from cognitive science and the principles explored in The Teach Like a Champion Guide to the Science of Reading, this highly practical workshop will unpack how students become powerful readers after phonics, and what great literacy instruction looks like from primary through to secondary education and beyond.
Throughout the day, Doug will translate research into clear, actionable classroom techniques. Using video from outstanding classrooms, curriculum examples and guided practice, participants will explore how to strengthen reading comprehension, build knowledge, and develop students who read with confidence, fluency, and purpose.
What you’ll explore
This workshop focuses particularly on the language comprehension strand of Scarborough’s Reading Rope, making it ideal for educators working with Grade 2 and above across English and other subject areas.
Key themes include:

The critical role of background knowledge in reading comprehension
The critical and overlooked challenge of disfluency
Strategies for building and sustaining student attention
Creating strong communities of readers through shared reading
Using purposeful writing to deepen understanding of texts
Developing vocabulary and knowledge systematically
Approaches to text complexity and close reading across subjects
The research supporting the reading of whole books in English classrooms.

Doug will also share seven key principles for developing strong readers “post-phonics”, the stage when students have mastered letter–sound correspondence but must now learn how to read increasingly complex texts throughout their academic journey.
A practical, high-impact learning experience
Participants will:

Practise instructional techniques that strengthen literacy teaching
Explore lesson examples and curriculum materials developed by Doug and his team
Watch and analyse video from top classrooms
Develop strategies that can be applied across all subject areas
Leave with resources and materials to use immediately in their schools

In case you haven’t read Doug’s new book here’s what Daniel Willingham has to say about it:
“I love this book. Every teacher who asks their students to read will find it becomes the most worn on their shelf; it’s a wellspring of clear explanation of the science of reading, and practical strategies for helping students become successful readers.”
And here’s what a school head in Washington, D.C. had to say:
“This book is simply PHENOMENAL to guide an adolescent literacy program. The text features an ideal mix of research and practical insights that I can implement tomorrow in our classrooms.”
Event details

Venue: A premium hotel in central Bangkok
Price: £250 ((฿10,763) per person add on a ticket to the Thailand Festival of Education for an extra £75 ((฿3,235).
Includes: Lunch, refreshments, and workshop resources

Why attend?
This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from Doug in an intimate workshop setting. Whether you teach English, humanities, science or any other subject, the strategies explored will help you build stronger readers, deepen comprehension, and strengthen classroom practice.
Book before the 30 April and save 20%.

Thailand Festival of Education
2026-11-07 | Wellington College International School Bangkok, 18 Krungthep Kreetha Rd, Thap Chang, Saphan Sung, Bangkok, 10250, Thailand
The 4th Thailand Festival of Education will return to Wellington College International School Bangkok on Saturday 7th November 2026. Now in its fourth year, the Festival of Education is a unique one-day event that brings together educators, school leaders, and education professionals from across the region and beyond to share ideas, connect, and explore research-informed approaches that shape the future of teaching and learning.
Originally founded by Wellington College in the UK in 2010, the Festival is built on the belief that professional learning should be engaging, inspiring, and enjoyable. The Thailand Festival of Education features a vibrant mix of influential voices and emerging perspectives through thought-provoking keynote sessions, interactive workshops, meaningful conversations, and collaborative experiences. Far more than a traditional conference, the Festival offers a welcoming and energising space that reflects the values at the heart of the Wellington College community.
To book your tickets, visit the Festival website.
