Elemantary Education

The debate on whether phonics or whole language method is the most effective in the learning process of children has been going on for years now . Currently , there are individuals and groups of people conducting studies and research programs on the seemingly unending conflict . A study conducted by a group of psychologist arrived in a conclusion that the program (phonics ) appears useful with students having difficulty in reading and spelling , a student who is a "beginner " or for adults who wish to improve their reading skills (Dr . Susan Cobb , et al ) In this program

there was six weeks of phonics instruction and conspicuous progress was observed in the group . The researchers found out a significant development among the students and who even applied their skills to complete other academic tasks . Another study was conducted on the other hand to test the effectiveness of the whole language approaches on the oral literacy skills of pre-schoolers It concluded that without documentation that demonstrates a strong relationship between whole language methods and language progress advocates of the philosophy cannot expect it to be seriously considered as an alternative to traditional instructional methods (Ziminsky Taking into consideration the various studies conducted advocating for each approach , the question on whether whole language or phonics is the best approach is still unanswered . Debates among parents , educators students , and experts have escalated . Advocates for each approach assert that their method is the more effective way to attract children in reading . To say it simply , supporters of the whole language approach think children 's literature , writing activities , and communication activities can be used across the curriculum to teach reading backers of phonics instruction insist that a direct , sequential mode of teaching enables students to master reading in an organized way (Cromwell 1997

The debate over whole language and phonics has spread in all corners of educational institution . The ongoing debate has prompted the International Reading Association (IRA ) to dispose a position statement It supported phonics within a whole-language program . In "The Role of Phonics in Reading Instruction " the IRA stated that :The teaching of phonics is an important aspect of beginning reading instruction

Classroom teachers in the primary grades do value and do teach phonics as a part of their reading programs

Phonics instruction , to be effective in promoting independence in reading , must be embedded in the context of a arts program

The support manifested by the International Reading Association to phonics as the most effective approach in kids ' early reading development has ignited more debate . Advocates of whole language approach still assert that it greatly enhance the reading capability of the early learners . In an article entitled Whole Language and Phonics Can they work together ? Marie Carbo asserts that "Children who do well in whole-language programs tend to have visual , tactile , and global reading styles " Global learners such as these , she maintains , tend to enjoy and learn from the popular literature , hands-on learning and peer interactions prominent in the whole language approach (Cromwell 1997 In his writing...