"The approach which is generally understood as 'synthetic phonics' offers the vast majority of young beginners the best route to becoming skilled readers. "
In synthetic phonics, letter sounds are built up to form a word. In English there are more than 40 'phonemes' - the smallest units of sound - each of which has a related 'grapheme' (the written symbol). Pupils learn the sounds first, and only then start to build up words.
[One meaning of synthesis is in the joining of ideas into a more complex whole.]
NB The similar sounding method, analytic phonics works by having the pupil analyse whole words to detect phonetic 'patterns'.
John Clare commented as follows on the difference between the two approaches in his Daily Telegraph education column of 8th June 05.
"The distinction may appear
theological, but the evidence is that the synthetic phonics approach
works best. Moreover, it works with virtually all children which no other
method does."
Marlynne Grant's Sound Discovery
Now adapted to include the government's recommended Letters and Sounds.
Rhona S. Johnston (University of Hull) and Joyce E. Watson (University of St. Andrews)
The St Andrews University research in eight primary schools in Clackmannanshire
has followed 300 children from the age of four.
LT Scotland 5-14
"Some of the most popular synthetic approaches involve a highly systematic whole-class teaching programme that is usually started very early in Primary 1. The sounds and their corresponding written symbols are taught in quick succession - up to five or six sounds per week."