There is so much 'alphabetic code' to introduce to learners, that basic skills lessons are inevitably requiring, in the main, repetitive routines as each part of the alphabetic code is introduced (the letter/s-sound correspondences), then applied to the phonics skills for reading, spelling and handw...

As a teacher-trainer in literacy basic skills, I am always trying to design diagrams which might make it easier and more memorable to assimilate information - particularly when that information involves many component parts. I have always included 'handwriting' in my description of phonics skills as...

In response to a parliamentary inquiry in England in 2005, Sir Jim Rose was commissioned to conduct an independent national review of teaching reading in the UK. In his final report, Rose recommended a model of understanding the two main processes of 'being a reader' in the full sense called the 'Si...

When it comes to the intervention programme, Reading Recovery, I often use the words 'entrenched, establishment programme' and I speculate whether it is SO entrenched that, as a world, we shall never be able to stop its use and proliferation, despite the review of its research, and despite its cost ...

Thanks for flagging up Mike's post, Susan, it's really good as always. I also highly recommend Mike's very readable book, 'Phonics and the Resistance to Reading' - well worth a read! On the same subject of schools cutting down their phonics teaching, this seems an appropriate place to provide a link...

I think it is relevant to get some parents' responses to this issue of Reading Recovery's continued promotion in schools. In England, some parents are more knowledgeable about Systematic Synthetic Phonics and the differences compared to the multi-cueing reading strategies which underpin the Reading ...

To what extent are the 'within child' learning difficulties - and the home circumstances of the child - considered to be the main or only factors for a child's learning difficulties and weaknesses by school psychologists and teachers? This is a really key question in the long-standing debate about ...

Here is more information about the 'Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry' which I touch upon in my RRF talk mentioned in the previous email for anyone who is interested:


http://www.phonicsinternational.com/for ... .php?t=586

There are grave, long-standing, international worries about the efficacy of the Reading Recovery intervention programme and its promotion and funding by various governments, universities and businesses. 'Reading Recovery' is now a hugely influential, entrenched, establishment, internationally-used i...

I second Anne's welcome to the IFERI forum and would encourage people to join us whatever the interest in reading instruction - and also spelling, handwriting and literacy more generally. IFERI has an unusual mix of people on its committee (check out the 'Committee' page - click on the members' phot...