Phonics vs Whole Language Essay - 1813 Words

To use Phonics or Whole Language? That is the Question There is a battle going on elementary schools across the Globe. This battle is not a malicious battle fought with armies and weapons of mass destruction, but rather a tactical battle where the two opponents are known to us by the simple phrases, phonics and whole language. These two opponents use very different styles, but those who use a certain style swear by it almost religiously. Seriously, though, one might be asking the question which is the best method for teachings young students how to read? Honestly, there is not a simple answer; education specialists have been arguing over the issue of phonics vs whole language for years and a definite answer still has yet to be†¦show more content†¦Those who oppose phonics also feel that the drills and texts used to teach phonics bore students which just increases to their lack of comprehension. At a certain age, students need to focus more on reading for meaning and enjo yment, but the method of phonics does not focus on incorporating these two areas. However, the second method being discussed in this paper, the whole language approach, focuses much of its attention on making sure the student understands and enjoys what he or she is reading. Whole language instruction occurs when a student acquires language rather than learning it through direct instruction (Brooks 35-36). This method is more child centered than teacher dominated, because the objective is for the student to learn how to read through talking and doing rather than through passive listening. Unlike phonics, whole language uses a variety of ways to give students the opportunity to interact with the text they are reading. Questioning, discussing, problem-solving, listening, writing, drawing, and dramatizing are among the ways students interact with text. Students are also encouraged to implement simple strategies while reading such as: reading the sentence and guessing what word wil l come next, looking at the picture on the page to help figure out the sentence, and also rereading the sentence for clarification. This method also does a good job in allowing the students to engage in text at their own speed and often in their own ways (36).Show MoreRelatedEssay on Phonics vs. Whole Language2109 Words   |  9 PagesPhonics vs. Whole Language What is the best method for teaching children to read? This is probably not something that a lot of people think about on a regular basis. However, I think it is very important to discuss the ways in which children learn to read. Reading has become a very important element in our society. With the rapid advancement of America, having good reading skills is essential to getting ahead in jobs and even in making dinner. Children are the future doctors, lawyersRead More Phonics vs. whole language? Essay2347 Words   |  10 PagesPhonics vs. whole language? Like other issues of education, educators and theorists debate and analyze methods of reading instruction. They judge methods and curricula not only by their efficacy but also by their appropriateness and ease. Throughout the history of education these methods and curricula have changed, shifted, and transformed. Currently, though, there are two front-runners in the debate—phonics and whole language. Popular belief is that these curricula are diametrically opposed.Read MoreBenefits of Using the Phonics Method to Teach Children to Read1698 Words   |  7 Pageslevel (Who Needs Phonics). They will not be able to apply to jobs, stigmatized in society, and may result in their children being illiterate also. In order to decrease the alarming rate of seven million illiterate children and give them a chance to have a better life is by integrating a method to teach them how to read better. There are numerous ways to teach a child how to read. Yet most of the methods can be divided in two groups; the whole-language approach or phonics. There has been andRead MoreEssay on Phonics and Whole language methods2543 Words   |  11 PagesPhonics and Whole language methods Phonics is a technique that teaches beginning readers to associate a particular sound with each letter of the alphabet or letter combination (Unger, 1996). Students receive explicit instruction in the mechanics of reading before they begin the actual process. Once students know what sounds correspond with each letter or letter combination, they move on to sounding out words. The English language has only about forty-four sounds, so when students begin toRead More Whole Language versus Phonics Essays2286 Words   |  10 Pages Whole Language versus Phonics Whole Language versus Phonics has been a question among many top educational groups for years. Which is the best way to teach kindergarten children the proper way to speak and learn the English Language? There are many valid reasons why experts argue for both phonics and/or whole language. Both seem to be exceptional ways to master the English Language. The purpose of this research paper is to compare phonics versus whole language and to determine how technologyRead MoreEssay on Using the Power of both Phonics and Whole Language3365 Words   |  14 Pagesway you learned to read, chances are you never knew what the terms â€Å"phonics† or â€Å"whole language† meant. However, these are the terms that are at opposite ends of an on-going debate over the best way to teach children how to read. â€Å"Simply stated, supporters of the whole language approach think childrens literature, writing activities, and communication activities can be used across the curriculum to tea ch reading; backers of phonics instruction insist that a direct, sequential mode of teaching enablesRead MoreHistory And History Of Reading Instruction1576 Words   |  7 Pagesthe 1790’s the New England Primer was published, it was used to dictate how alphabet instruction and religion were to be instructed to schoolchildren. It was around that same time that Noah Webster published â€Å"A Grammatical Institute of the English Language.† This book was used to help students learn the proper spelling of words and grammar rules. Another influential person during this time was Thomas Gallaudet; he was a teacher for the deaf and was also credited for the implementation of a print richRead MoreEssay about Phonics and Whole Language2721 Words   |  11 PagesPhonics and Whole Language A great debate whether the phonetic approach or whole language approach should be used in the classroom has been occurring since the early nineteen thirties, and there has not been a definite decision on which approach should be used to teach in the classroom. To understand this debate, one must first understand the differences between whole language and phonics learning. The Definition of Phonics Many people are confused by the term phonics, becauseRead MoreEffects Of Reading Instruction On The Literacy Development Of Children And How Socioeconomics Restricts These Impacts5473 Words   |  22 Pageson Students of Low-Socioeconomic Status Amelia K.L. Reynolds Edmond, Oklahoma Abstract This paper explores related research in aspects of language acquisition, specifically, reading instruction and its effect on students who live in low socioeconomic environments. We will review the methods of explicit phonics and whole language to examine what, if any, is the more advantageous method of reading instruction for students who live in poverty. The purpose of this literature review isRead MoreBalanced Literacy Instruction : A Comprehensive Program Of Language Arts Achievement901 Words   |  4 PagesBalanced literacy instruction is a comprehensive program of language arts achievement. It is comprehending all of the components that is necessary for students to become a master in writing and oral communication. Balance literacy begins with creating a genuine gratitude for good literature. And it balanced by knowing students individually, direct and indirect instruction and activates that emphasize meaning for students. The strongest elements of each are combined into a li teracy program that aims