Investigation Phonetic Languages: What are Phonics?

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This paper investigates the Phonics approach as a key element in achieving high literacy outcomes in the early years. English language is a phonetic language which means that spoken words are represented by symbolic letter strings. It is made up of five components; pragmatics, semantics, syntax, phonology and vocabulary. Phonology relates to the spoken sounds made in language of which the phoneme is the smallest component. Phonological awareness is an umbrella term which enables the manipulation of words, syllables and sounds introspectively. Important aspects of phonological awareness are intonation, stress and timing (Hill, 2013). Children develop phonological awareness through oral interaction, literacy events such as being read to, and imaginative play. Phonemic awareness is the understanding that words are made up of sound or phoneme sequences. This develops through exposure to words, syllables, rhyme and alliteration. Phonics is a teaching strategy for reading and writing that links written letters or text with language sounds by developing phonemic awareness alongside alphabetic knowledge. Prominent authors in this field include Jeanne Chall and her pioneering work in; Learning to Read: The great Debate, Marilyn Adams and her landmark book; Beginning to Read: Thinking and Learning About Print and Steven Stahl who has written numerous books and journal articles.

Phonics is a catalyst for long term memory word recognition and increased vocabulary which ultimately allows the reader to give meaning to visual texts. It helps to develop the alphabetic principle. Research shows that phonemic awareness and alphabetic understanding, which are key to phonics instruction, are the most important indicators of future reading and writ...

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...considerably improve their English literacy outcomes (Nishanimut, Johnston, Joshi, Thomas, Padakannaya, 2013).

In summing up, the role that a phonics approach has in developing literacy in the early years, is an important one. However it is important to note that it should be taught systematically and explicitly as part of an overall pedagogical approach. It should be taught in conjunction with connected reading with the goal of developing phonemic awareness and the alphabetic principle. The amount and intensity of the training depends on what the child brings with them to the school environment. This may depend on the socio-cultural environment which they experience at home. The old notion of teaching a universal literacy is no longer acceptable. Teachers must be more flexible in their approach, sympathetic to the diversity of students in the modern classroom.

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