Modern Phonics
The English language
English is an alphabetic language. It has a code with which to work out the sounds of the printed words. The letters of the alphabet are written for the sounds we speak. These sounds are joined together in spoken words.
In written words, letters (that represent sounds) are joined together. This simple system is far easier to learn than other systems that use symbols representing ideas (such as Chinese). We learn 26 letters and can then use these to form the 500, 000 or so words of English.
English has adopted words from a variety of sources including French, German, Greek and Latin. When learning to spell and read it is beneficial to understand the events that have influenced the spelling of English words (see Why We Speak English).
Learning to read and spell English
Learning to read is the most important task of early childhood. Success and failure of this skill has a profound effect on the future of every child. Therefore, the methods used to teach this crucial skill must be the best possible. (see Why Schoolchildren Can't Read)
In many New Zealand primary schools students are taught to read using Whole Word or Whole Language methods. These methods rely on students memorising whole words. When a student encounters an unknown word they are taught to look for clues in an associated picture, or just guess. Spelling is treated largely as a separate subject.
Up to 75% of students will learn to read using this approach. However they will lack an understanding of the technical aspects of language structure and rules. Boys are over represented in the 25% of students who will struggle or fail to read. Reading Recovery is an accepted part of Whole Language methods, as predictable failure occurs across the board.
Prior to the introduction of Whole Language methods students were taught to spell and read English using phonics;
"The whole study of sounds and their writing is known as 'phonics'. Phonics also includes understanding the principles that govern the use of letters in words. In reading, phonics helps us to understand the sound of a word that is unfamiliar. In spelling, phonics helps us to write the appropriate letters for the sounds we hear." World Book Encyclopedia (1990)
About Words has used a modern phonics system to teach over 100 struggling students in the Cambridge area over a period of three years with a 100% success rate.
Literacy through Modern Phonics
Modern phonics teaches the 44 sounds of spoken English, and their spellings, in a logical and structured order. Teaching is supported with resources that reinforce learning with a range of activities that engage auditory, kinetic and visual processing.
Modern phonics separates English into three distinct spelling categories:
The first category is based on patterns of Early English spelling, which originate from post-Roman Anglo-Saxon-Celtic cultures, and includes about 50% of our common words. These are easily taught , starting with single letter-sound correspondences, then sequencing to form syllables and words. Next come a few letter combinations such as 'sh' and 'ch', and the long vowels. Children with learning difficulties may take longer to master these skills, but once they are fully confident with the basic patterns they will take the next spelling category in their stride.
Middle English spellings resulted from the 'fixing' of language after the advent of printing. This category can be tricky if not dealt with systematically; it features the adoption of new sounds such as the 'e' of cafe brought in from French after the Norman Conquest, and new compromise versions of dialectal forms such as the 'oa' in boat. Students find these historical explanations fascinating.
The third category comprises more sophisticated words which take their forms from Latin and Greek. We build them with prefixes and suffixes, the function of which, when understood, not only develops comprehension skills, but enables students to use the dictionary and the thesaurus creatively to be more expressive in their own speech and writing.
In essence the students learn to read through a spelling system. As such, spelling skills are acquired as they learn to read.
Benefits for teachers and students
All students develop confidence from structure. For those who are at risk, or experience any form of learning difficulty, logic and structure are essential for success. Modern phonics provides teachers and their students with a logical and structured approach to becoming literate.
Teachers who teach literacy using modern phonics develop within their students:
- confidence in spelling and reading
- word attack skills for reading (decoding) unfamiliar words
- rules with which to master spelling (encoding)
- a deeper understanding of the English language and its cultural origins
- an interest in the printed word
Phonics is the logical way to teach spelling and reading. About Words has experienced great success using modern phonics and we believe that these results can be reproduced in New Zealand classrooms.