What is a syllable approach to reading?

A syllable approach is a synthetic approach to reading. It is characterized by use of the syllable as the basic building block or unit for decoding words. Students learn syllables before reading words and text.

A syllable approach to teaching reading is an approach which uses syllable recognition as the primary word attack skill.

A syllable approach lesson will normally present the following:

• A picture word which is a memory device for a new syllable, and

• A new syllable together with all the syllables which make up the syllable family.

• The new syllable in a larger matrix with most or all other known syllables.

  The syllable matrix is practiced at length as preparation for reading words and text which use known syllables.

Syllable approaches vary:

• Some call for memorization of CV's first, then all CVC's, then all CCV's, and so on until all syllable types are learned.

  See:	What is a syllable shape?

• Some intersperse the syllable types in order to make more natural reading materials early in the series.
• Others introduce a small set of syllables in each section followed by reading words and text.

Here is an example of a instructional program that uses a syllable approach:

• Multistrategy primer page sample

• Approaches to reading

• Concept module: syllable approach to reading
• In overview module: Glossary (Literacy): S
• In modular book: Glossary of literacy terms
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 16 September 1999

© 1999 SIL International