English
Learning to read is a fundamental skill that opens the door to knowledge, personal development and successful communication. There are many methods for teaching reading, but two of them have proven to be effective in research and teaching practice:
1. Frequently Used Words (Frequently Used Words / Sight Words)
2. Phonetic Method (Decoded Words / Phonics) Phonetic Method (Decoded Words / Phonics)
In this article, we will discuss both approaches, their advantages and disadvantages, support the data with research and provide practical exercises to consolidate skills.
1. Frequently Used Words / Sight Words method
1.1. What is it? What is this method?
The method is based on memorising the words that occur most frequently in written speech. For example, the 220 Dolch Sight Words in English cover 75 per cent of the texts at beginner level.
Examples of frequently used words in English:
– Simple function words: the, and, is, it, in, on, at
– Pronouns: I, you, he, she, we, they
– Linking verbs: was, were, have, has, do
– Adverbs and prepositions: up, down, with, for, from
In Russian, too, there are high-frequency words that are worth memorising in their entirety:
– it, here, there, here, where, how, but, but, or, to
1.2. How does this method work?
Instead of decoding the word letter by letter, the learner memorises the visual image of the word. This speeds up reading as it does not require decoding each time.
Learning stages:
1. Visual familiarity – the child sees the word in the book, audio-video book, Words and Letters series and colours it in the I Draw series.
2. Repetition – reading aloud, writing, playing games.
3. Practice in context – reading sentences and short texts.
1.3. Scientific research supporting the method
– A study by Edward Dolch (1936) showed that memorising frequently used words significantly accelerated reading in children.
– Modern research (National Reading Panel, 2000) confirms that Instant Words are particularly useful for mispronounced words (such as said, through).
1.4. Pros and cons of management
✅ Advantages:
– Fast reading thanks to automatic recognition.
– Effective for languages with non-phonetic orthography (English, French, Turkish, German).
– Facilitates early reading.
Disadvantages:
– Few children’s books and series with sequential complexity, BUT we have just found the Reading with Nicky reading programme.
– It requires a complex approach, so in our Reading with Niсky reading programme children listen, see, read, draw, choose and learn to read and master different languages with confidence.
1.5. Practical exercises
Exercise 1: Give a small book, starting with the first level of difficulty. The books in our programme are interesting. The child gets to know the characters, reads about them, reads their stories and gradually learns to read with confidence.
Exercise 2: Finding words in the text
Part of our reading teaching set is the Words and Letters series
– Give them a short text (e.g. a children’s book).
– Ask them to underline all the words they know and choose the letters in the blanks
Exercise 3: Draw and colour words
Exercise 4: Listen to and watch the audio-video book.
Exercise 5: Use a section of the kit to discuss what you have read, seen and heard – Ideas for classroom and home activities.
2. Phonetic Method (Decoded Words / Phonetics)
2.1. What is the Phonetic Method? What is it?
Phonetics teaches to match letters and sounds to read new words by “decoding” them.
Examples of phonetic rules in English:
– Letter “A”: cat, cake
– Digraphs (letter combinations): sh (ship), ch (chat), th (think)
– Long and short vowels: bit (bit) vs. bite (byte)
Also useful in Russian Phonics:
– M + A = MA
– S + L + O + N = SLON
2.2. How does this method work?
1. Learning sounds – first simple sounds (a, b, c), then complex sounds (wa, sh).
3. Reading words and phrases – MAMA, PAPA.
2.3. Scientific research in favour of phonics
– A meta-analysis by the National Reading Panel (2000) showed that phonics significantly improves children’s reading skills.
– A study by Duke & Cartwright (2021) confirmed that Phonics is particularly effective for languages with predictable spelling (Spanish, German, Russian).
2.4. Pros and cons of management
✅ Advantages:
– Provides a tool for reading new words.
– Improves spelling.
– Improves phonemic hearing.
Disadvantages:
– Takes longer to learn.
– It can be difficult for words with incorrect pronunciation (colonel, yacht).
2.5 Practical exercises
Exercise 1: Sound Chains
– Write the syllables: ma, mo, mu, me.
– Ask the pupil to read them aloud.
Exercise 2: Making words from sounds
– Give me a series of letters: K, O, T.
– Ask the student to make a word (KOT).
Exercise 3: Reading with missing letters
– Write a word with missing letters: S_ON.
– The student has to guess which letter is missing (L → SLON).
Summary:
– Sight Words will help you start reading quickly.
– Phonetics requires long-term lessons.
Ideal strategy: combine both methods – learn the Sight Words first, then add Phonics.
4. Additional exercises to reinforce skills
4.1. Reading aloud
– Read aloud for 10-15 minutes every day, alternating between familiar and new words.
4.2 Audio books + text
– Listen to the audio and follow the text – this improves word recognition.
4.3. Word games
– Scrabble – making words from letters.
– Hangman – guessing words by letters.
5. WORD GAMES Conclusion
Both Favourites and Phonetics are effective, but work better together.
Suggestions:
– Children aged 4-6: more Sight Words for a quick start.
– Children over 7 years old and adults: use both methods to read any text with confidence.
Reading is a skill that develops with practice. Regular practice and the right approach will help you or your child become a confident reader!
