Island won't follow UK on 'phonics' testing
Publication Date: Wed, 29 Jan 2014
The Department of Education and Children says it won’t follow the UK by testing all primary school pupils using the phonics method.
Used to teach children to read - the system requires them to decode simple words and use made-up words to help them learn.
The UK will be testing children nationwide, but an Island-based primary school adviser says it should be seen as part of a wider pool of teaching processes.
Research by the UK’s National Association for the Teachers of English has suggested that an over-emphasis on phonics “can do more harm than good”.
Caroline Savin says all children learn in different ways, something they aim to cater for in the Island:
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Caroline Savin
