New research suggests that relying on phonics, a method of learning where an individual sounds out words, helps students to learn reading faster when compared with the whole-language technique ...

Phonics theory takes exactly the opposite position: the proper analogy for learning to read is learning music notation, or Morse code, or Braille, in which mastery of a set of symbols comes first.

The problem, Flesch realized, was that no one had taught him how to sound words out, or “decode.” Once Flesch introduced Johnny to the rules of phonics, he was off and running.

Phonics, Whole-word And Whole-language Processes Add Up To Determine Reading Speed, Study Shows Date: August 3, 2007 Source: New York University Summary: Reading specialists have often pitted ...

But the move has sparked a war of words between academic experts who disagree whether it's the best way to teach kidsto read. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. Advertisement Advertise with NZME.

See the science of word sounds and rhyming in action in our Speech Lab. BBC Bitesize has loads of great videos to help parents and children get to grips with phonics.

A popular method of teaching, known as “balanced literacy,” has focused less on phonics and more on developing a love of books and ensuring students understand the meaning of stories.