Catherine Hall

EDU 504
3 November 2018
Phonics vs. Whole Language

Intertwining Phonics and Whole Language Reading Methods

In an article by education world, it states that the IRA’s stance on the phonics versus

whole language debate is, “...supporting phonics within a whole language program.” This is

definitely the perspective that I agree with. This debate is incredibly important because a child’s

ability to read determines the rest of their educational abilities and, truly, their future. As

educators, it is important to be as informed as possible in order to make the best decisions for the

children entrusted to our care.

The phonics method of teaching reading is correlating sounds with letters (or groups of

letters) and thereby teaching reading from the ground up. The efforts of phonics are focused

primarily on the younger grades and greatly aid kids in sounding out words. It builds a strong

foundation for simple vocabulary and words that sound exactly how they are spelled. The most

significant drawback of the phonics method is that nearly half of all english words do not sound

like they are spelled.

The whole language method of teaching reading is based upon the meaning of words and

the use of language and reading in all areas of life. Using this method, reading is taught not only

in literature class, but in science, math, history, etc… This method bears more resemblance to the

real world and exemplifies how to expand a student’s vocabulary in all aspects, not just pointedly

during one lesson. Other benefits include a wider breadth of knowledge in how words and

phrases relate to each other, a stronger interest in reading than their phonics-taught peers, and
greater achievement. The drawbacks include a slower reading education and lack of correct

spelling and grammar.

I believe these two methods, phonics and whole language, should be intertwined in the

classroom. They are best when taught together for many reasons including but not limited to: the

high achievement of students, the continuity of learning across many subjects, the correctness of

language, the ability to keep the attention of students, and the better reading ability learned. By

putting phonics lessons within a whole language curriculum, students succeed far more than

learning reading just one way or another. While the whole language method keeps the attention

of the students, the intermittent phonics lessons teach correctness. While phonics teaches a

student how to sound-out words, whole language lessons teach children what words mean and

how to use them in a sentence. It is the combination of these methods that make students

successful not only in reading, but in all areas of learning.

WORKS CITED

1. Reyhner, J. (2008). Dr. Jon Reyhner . Retrieved November 03, 2018, from 

https://jan.ucc.nau.edu/jar/Reading_Wars.html 

2. Whole Language and Phonics: Can They Work Together? (n.d.). Retrieved November 03, 2018, from 
https://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr029.shtml