A Sound Start introduces students to the sounds and words made by the letters of the English alphabet. Students quickly become aware that the letters of the alphabet stand for the sounds of spoken and written language. They will soon begin to realise that a spoken or written word can be broken up so the separate sound units of the word can be clearly heard.
 
Despite its irregularities the fact remains that the written form of English uses an alphabet of symbols which relate to the sounds spoken.
 
The method of instruction presented throughout this book is the grouping of words which have both a visual and aural similarity. By reinforcing a bank of words which conform to particular phonic (or sound) categories the student will digest a wide range of words of a regular form. Exceptions to the rule are then more readily recalled when they are dealt with later.
 
Knowing the sounds and symbols of our English language, both the single letter sounds and the combination of letters e.g. digraphs, blends etc, will provide them with a rich and dynamic process in learning to read. A teacher who shows a student how a system of knowledge operates and at the same time inspires the student to apply this knowledge in creative ways has endowed the student with a valuable gift which will always remain a lifelong asset.
 
Today hard working, caring teachers often discover the problems of the reluctant or stumbling readers can be directly related to their abysmal knowledge of the sounds made by the individuals and letter combinations found in written English. Phonics is only one of the methods we use to educate youngsters… however providing students with a systematic means of knowing these sounds and symbols of English is a precious gift to bequeath them.
 
Teachers of lower primary grades will find this book a rich resource as will teachers of EAL/D.