Jump to main content
Search
shortlist register contact us menu

Phonics-based education 'is the best way to teach reading'

Date posted : 24 April 2017

Training students to sound out words remains the most effective way of teaching them to read, according to a new UK study.

Researchers from Royal Holloway, University of London and the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit has indicated that this method - known as phonics - can have a significant impact on the accuracy of pupils' ability to read aloud, as well as their linguistic comprehension.

The research aimed to shed light on the ongoing debate over whether learning to read by sounding out words is more effective than focusing on whole-word meanings. Adult study participants were trained to read in a new language printed in unfamiliar symbols, with their learning retention measured using reading tests and brain scans.

It was shown that those who focused on the meanings of the new words were much less accurate in comprehending and reading the words aloud than those who had used phonics, while MRI scans indicated that their brains had to work harder to decipher what they were looking at.

Professor Kathy Rastle from the department of psychology at Royal Holloway said: "Some people continue to advocate using a variety of meaning-based cues, such as pictures and sentence context, to guess the meanings of words.

"However, our research is clear that reading instruction that focuses on teaching the relationship between spelling and sound is most effective. Phonics works."

Currently, the provision of systematic phonics instruction is a legal requirement in state-funded primary schools in England, with the impact of this teaching measured through a screening check administered to children in Year 1.

Since introducing this test, year-on-year gains in the percentage of children reaching an expected standard have been consistently recorded, rising from 58 per cent in 2012 to 81 per cent in 2016.

List #1

Related posts

Looking for a permanent teaching role?

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

If you’re considering taking the next step in education, you’re not alone. More teachers and support staff are exploring permanent roles that offer stability, progression, and a sense of belonging

Teaser

Read more
Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

Adam Davies

by

Adam Davies

TP 30 Years - Danielle

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD05YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Patrick

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Hannah

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years.  The impact we have on our schools and educat

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Vicky

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Rebecca

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators

Teaser

Read more
TP 30 Years - Jenny

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Gemma's Story

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Ben Whittle

Teaser

People & Culture

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are

Teaser

Read more
Future Teachers Programme - Anna's Story

Teaser

Educators

Content Type

TP-Posts

Publish date

DD04YY

Summary

What motivated you to join the Future Teachers Programme? I was first motivated to join the programme when I was looking for different pathways into teaching that wasn’t the PGCE route. I was look

Teaser

Read more
company logo
Search