Phonics (Reading Development: Module 04)

Phonics refers to sound-letter correspondence and is another essential component of reading development. English language learners (ELLs) face special challenges because they do not have the benefit of familiar vocabulary that native English speakers have. However, remember that even English speakers may not be familiar with the vocabulary presented in the lesson. As a result, vocabulary instruction is also an important support in reading development and will help to ensure the development of reading comprehension as well. Different strategies are presented to support the development of phonics.

Stephanie Downey Toledo is a bilingual speech language pathologist in New York City as well as a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has collaborated with the LEADERS project on this module series and others.

Find the playlist for the full set of videos in this module series here:

Reading Development Playlist

Find each of the modules from this playlist here:

Reading Development Module 1: What does it mean to know a language? 

Reading Development Module 2: Role of the SLP in Literacy

Reading Development Module 3: Phonemic Awareness

Reading Development Module 4: Phonics 

Reading Development Module 5a: Myths About Vocabulary Instruction 

Reading Development Module 5b: Role of the SLP in Vocabulary Instruction 

Reading Development Module 6: Reading Fluency 

Reading Development Module 7: Reading Comprehension

Reading Development Module 8: Bilingual Considerations

Please find links to research mentioned in this module here:

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2000). Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction. (NIH Publication No. 00-4769). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.