Linguistically, schwa (represented using the symbol ǝ) is an unaccented vowel sound that sounds something like an unclear grunt. It occurs in unaccented words and syllables and is the most commonly occurring sound in English. The problem with schwa (which … Continued
There are many dialects of English arising due to regional and/or socio-economic differences in pronunciation. This means that any one phonic-based program may not exactly match with the pronunciation of all students and may result in students making errors in … Continued
In the inaugural edition of the Reading League Journal, Jennifer Buckingham (2020) identified six benefits of using teaching strategies guided by scientific evidence. Earlier and more accurate word reading The research clearly shows that accurate word reading is achieved successfully … Continued
A homophone is a word that sounds the same as (or very similar to) another word but has a different meaning and spelling. From an intervention perspective, it is common for students to confuse homophones, so they need multiple opportunities … Continued
When I ask students to define a noun, they will quickly tell me, “It’s a person, place or thing.” At the very least they need to add on ‘or idea’. I would rather that they use the definition: A noun … Continued