A method for teaching a child to read based on the training of a set of words or phrases whereby the past comprehension history of that child for each of the words and phrases is used to formulate a specific presentation, teaching and assessment strategy which will vary from word to word and phase to phrase, with the objective of teaching the child to read and recognize new words and phrases while at the same time consolidating the recognition of better understood words and phrases in order to reduce the onset of poor reading habits such as word vocalization, eye overuse and eye skip back (regression). The interactive reading tutor application may be access locally or remotely accessed by users via a network such as the Internet. This invention can also be used to train adults with poor reading skills, readers with reading disorder, and persons learning a second or subsequent language. The invention may be used to teach languages other than English.