Explicit systematic phonics instruction is the most effective way to teach children how to read and has a structured approach.
Helps to recognize sounds made by each individual letter and different combinations of letters, such as 'st' or 'tr'.
Helps improve reading skills, spelling skills and efficiency.
Helps to increase child's fluency in reading text accurately with correct pronunciation.
Whole word approach is quite commonly used in schools in India.
Reading is done at word level and is done by sight.
It is based on memorization of words so is inefficient and not practical.
Level 1 (Beginning): This level covers basic phonemic awareness, alphabet review, and sounds of the alphabet.
Level 2 (Foundation): This level dives into short sounds of vowels, Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) words, and sight words.
Level 3 (Intermediate): This level examines more advanced phonemic concepts including blends, digraphs, and numerous sight words. It also includes practical exercises such as story reading.
Level 4 (Advanced): This level covers advanced concepts including long sounds, trigraphs, diphthongs, and R-controlled words, along with practical exercises through sight words and story reading.
Level 5 (Horizon): This level begins to teach spelling rules commonly used in the English language. Children learn frequently misspelled words and advanced words using concepts learnt in previous levels.
Level 6 (Infinity): This level teaches complex spelling rules. It covers difficult-to-pronounce English words, high frequency words, and advanced words that combine intermediate and advanced phonemic concepts. Comprehension and advanced reading exercies provide practice that result in advanced English fluency.