To the editor: English is a phonetic language, so as soon as children learn letters and sounds, they can start to write simple messages. Most people go on to write well enough for practical purposes, ...

Two of the synthetic phonics programs, Letters and Sounds (L&S) and Early Reading Research (ERR), used by English primary schools to teach young children to read are equally effective overall.

Educational publishers have welcomed the UK government’s announcement that it will not develop a full programme arounds its Letters and Sounds handbook, which comes after lobbying from the sector.

To the editor: “English is a phonetic language,” states a letter writer who taught reading — but, I must add, only to a point. Just a brief look at the previous sentence will show numerous exceptions ...

Education Minister Erica Stanford says the Government has earmarked $67 million in the Budget to transform how our children learn to read. Photo / RNZ Education Minister Erica Stanford’s enthusiasm ...

Re: “Far too many California children can’t read” (Page A7, June 17). Denise Amos says that California districts encourage students to memorize words, and believes they should instead be using phonics ...