The Daily Telegraph:
Phonics is fair to all
26 April 2016
Phonics is a highly effective method of helping children who are behind with reading to catch up. However, I strongly believe that this teaching method should be employed for all children, not just those ''at risk of struggling''. It is great if all children end up at the same stage by the age of 11 - but waiting until disadvantaged children have been identified might put that at risk.
Furthermore, phonics should continue to be taught beyond the age of 11. When children begin secondary school it is expected that they are able to read, when in fact all they have done so far is master the primary curriculum. I worry they are often underprepared to deal with unfamiliar, academic language independently.
Advanced phonics equips children with the skills to decode these words and gain a proper understanding of language.
Katy Parkinson
Founder, Sound Training
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
This letter to the Editor was published in The Daily Telegraph on April 26, 2016
Link to the opinion page here
Related publications
''Teaching to Teach'' Literacy, Stephen Machin, Sandra McNally and Martina Viarengo, Centre for Economic Performance Discussion Paper No.1425, April 2016
Related links
Stephen Machin webpage
Sandra McNally webpage
Education and Skills Programme webpage