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Which is a better way to teach children to read: Whole Language or Phonics?
Assuming we are talking about English none and both. As many researchers have proved that we have different learning styles I see phonics and whole language valuable to a specific group of learners. These two methods do not have to be mutually exclusive, but may even complement each other. Because we hear the words firsthand then say them and years later start reading them Phonics plays an important role in the early reading development. As one moves on with reading and comprehension Whole language acquires a more important role in reading development. After starting school I believe both methods of learning how to read happen almost simultaneously. As we grow we depend more on the skills of the whole language method to give meaning to the Word in context. Conversely every time we learn a new word we first revert to phonic skills to pronounce it and again revert to whole language skills to interpret the word or text.

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