Exploring the teaching of Grade 1 – 3 English spelling using the Sound Reading System: A case of a Namibian primary school Spelling is crucial for literacy development in children and therefore needs to be taught effectively during the primary grades. A plethora of studies on spelling instruction have been carried out to shed light on the importance of applying scientifically based methods. This study investigated the implementation of the Sound Reading System (SRS) for teaching spelling in Grades 1, 2 and 3 in Namibia – a country where English is mostly acquired as a taught subject. A qualitative design was used to examine the application of the SRS in whole-class instruction in the Erongo region of Namibia. Using observations, interviews and document analysis, data was obtained from one school where the SRS was used to teach spelling. Three teachers were observed and subsequently interviewed on the teaching of English spelling. The findings revealed that, after using the SRS, teachers felt their own alphabetic knowledge had improved and their approach to teaching spelling had changed, leading to an awareness of what meaningful spelling activities entail. They felt that the methodology had provided a systematic approach to their teaching. The teachers were convinced that there is a link between spelling and reading and the methodology provided an opportunity to teach these skills simultaneously. In terms of the SRS, an integrated approach is applied whereby the target sound becomes the focal point of language development to provide an opportunity for skill transfer. However, the teachers found it challenging to slot in all the activities in a timetable that does not cater specifically for spelling. Another challenge perceived by the teachers was the effective teaching of sight words. This study recommends teamwork between teachers and parents to ensure that all SRS activities are completed successfully at home. Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of applying scientific methods in classroom practice. It further suggests that teaching the full range of spellings in the SRS be continued in Grades 4 and 5 to reinforce a deeper understanding of English orthography. Lastly, it is suggested that higher institutions link teacher training to curricular outcomes. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Syftet med den kvantitativa undersökningen var att jämföra ASL (att skriva sig till läsning) i ett helordsperspektiv med den traditionella ljudmetoden gällande elevers tidiga läs- och skrivutveckling. Jämförelsen gjordes också för att se vilken läsinlärningsmetod som är mest gynnsam och om någon av dessa har bättre möjligheter att förebygga läs- och skrivsvårigheter. Undersökningen bygger på sekundärdata från cirka 200 elever med olika läsinlärningsmetoder där i första hand ordavkodningsförmågan jämförs. Resultat gällande fonologisk medvetenhet, ordavkodningsförmåga, stavning samt nationella prov i svenska samlades in från två parallellgrupper (ASL - ljudmetod). Testmaterialet har hämtats från förskoleklass till och med årskurs 3. Resultatet visade bättre ordavkodningsförmåga för de flesta elever som har haft ASL som läsinlärningsmetod. Detsamma gäller för elever som hade hög ordavkodningsförmåga från årskurs 1. För elever med låg ordavkodningsförmåga visade resultaten däremot ingen skillnad mellan de båda metoderna. En tolkning skulle kunna göras att ASL gynnar ordavkodningsförmågan för många elever, men inte har större möjligheter än ljudmetoden att förebygga läs- och skrivsvårigheter. / The purpose of the quantitative study was to compare WTR (writing to read) in a whole language perspective with the traditional phonics regarding students' early literacy development. The comparison was also made to see which literacy learning method that is most favourable and if any of them is more able to prevent reading and writing disabilities. The study is based on secondary data from approximately 200 students with different methods of teaching reading in which primarily word decoding ability was compared. Results regarding phonological awareness, word decoding ability, spelling and National tests in Swedish were gathered from two parallel groups (WTR - phonics). The test material has been taken from pre-school to grade 3. The results showed better word decoding ability for most students who have had WTR as literacy learning method. The same applies to students who had high word decoding ability from grade 1. Results from students with low word decoding ability showed however no difference between the two methods. One interpretation would be that WTR favours word decoding ability for many students, but does not have more opportunities than phonics of preventing reading and writing disabilities.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to present one of the aspekts of teaching of early reading and writing in primary schools in England. By this aspekt we mean methods that are used during teaching early reading and writing. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis familiarize the reader with the education system in England as whole, describes the National Curriculum and closely familiarize the reader with the pre-school curriculum and primary school curriculum. From both curriculums are pointed out especially those aspects which relate to teaching English language. In addition, there will be presented programs of teaching early reading and writing and closely described methods of teaching early reading and writing. The practical part of diploma thesis is based on research which was performed in community primary school "Dale Community Primary School". The research was conducted by several methods: questionnaire survey, observation and controlled observation. The questionnaires and observation aimed at finding methods of teaching early reading and writing which are used at the specific primary school. In addition, two modelled lessons were prepared and later reflected. During both modelled lessons were used methods of teaching early reading and writing. The knowledge and information gained from...

本論文從發音語音學與聲學語音學之觀點研究英語字彙之語音表義現象，其中包括英語中主要五個元音與央元音，二十個輔音，二十九個字首二輔音群，以及六個字首三輔音群。此外也提出語音表義在英語教學上之啟示。首先，語音表義字彙教學配合見字識音法，可以成為形音義三者結合之教學。再者，由於語音表義字彙教學必須透過聯想力建立聲音與意義之間的關聯，因此可以轉被動沈悶之字彙學習為主動活潑之認知歷程，符合認知學習之原則。同時語音表義字彙教學可以訓練學習者之音韻覺識能力，以求在發音、拼字與閱讀方面收長期之效。此外，語音表義字彙教學法可以與其他字彙教學法如「字首字根字尾解字教學法」，或是「上下文語境字彙教學」相輔相成，也同時彌補此兩種教學法不足之處。最後，英語語音學教師若選擇符合語音表義現象之例字，言傳語音特色將會更容易。 本論文完整探討英語中語音表義現象，具有以下幾點貢獻。首先，本文從發音語音學並配合聲學語音學上之佐證完整探討英語語音表義現象，是前所未見的。此外，將語音之歷史發展納入研究考慮因素，認為二輔音群如sc-、sch-、sk-與sh-以及三輔音群scr-與shr-分別具有相同之語音表義現象。而在含有輔音s之輔音群部分，根據Kaye（1992）以及優選理論，本論文將s與後繼語音視為異音節來討論其語音表義現象，亦為本文另一獨特之分析。另外，本論文證明英語中除了擬聲字以外，在聲音與意義之間仍有許多自然之關聯。 / This thesis aims to explore the phenomena of sound symbolism (SS hereafter) in English in terms of articulatory phonetics and acoustic phonetics. The scope of the research covers 5 cardinal vowels, the schwa sounds, 20 single consonants, 29 word-initial two-letter consonant clusters, and 6 word-initial three-letter consonant clusters. Meanwhile, there are some implications on English pedagogy found in the research. First, by providing the association between sound and meaning, SS enriches phonics, which deals with the relationship between spelling and sound, so that spelling, sound and meaning are combined in English vocabulary teaching. Besides, SS turns passive, teacher-centered vocabulary instruction into an active, student-centered one, and this corresponds with the principles of cognitive learning theory. Moreover, the application of SS in teaching English language will help develop learners’ phonological awareness, which improves their pronunciation, spelling and reading abilities. SS at the same time completes other vocabulary teaching methods. Lastly, SS strengthens the instruction of English phonetics in that, if provided with some example words subject to SS phenomena, the features of a sound will be observed and conveyed more easily. Complete in the analysis of SS in English, this thesis pioneers in the following aspects. First of all, this topic is treated in the viewpoint of both articulatory phonetics and acoustic phonetics. Secondly, the historical development of a sound is taken into consideration, and consonant clusters such as sch-、sk- and sh-, therefore, are deemed to have the same sound-meaning relationship with sc- and shr- with scr-. Besides, such s-initial consonant clusters as sl-, sm-, and st- are analyzed in an unprecedented way, some phonological evidences considered. Finally, this thesis proves that there are other non-arbitrary associations between sound and meaning besides onomatopoeic words.

Notre recherche doctorale porte sur l’influence des pratiques d’enseignement du code alphabétique sur les progrès des élèves de cours préparatoire. Elle a pour objectif d’identifier des pratiques pédagogiques efficaces et de contribuer à la réflexion sur la formation professionnelle des enseignants. Elle constitue l’un des volets d’une enquête collective de grande ampleur dirigée par Roland Goigoux qui visait à évaluer l’influence des pratiques d’enseignement de la lecture et de l’écriture sur la qualité des apprentissages.La première partie de notre recherche est consacrée à la mise en évidence de relations causales entre les pratiques d’enseignement du code alphabétique et les performances des élèves en décodage et en orthographe. Nous nous intéressons tout d’abord à la question de la planification de l’enseignement, plus précisément à la vitesse d’étude des correspondances entre les graphèmes et les phonèmes (tempo) et à la part déchiffrable des textes utilisés comme supports d’enseignement de la lecture (rendement effectif). Nos résultats soulignent l’influence significative de ces deux variables sur la qualité des apprentissages, cette influence s’exerçant de manière différenciée selon le niveau des élèves à l’entrée du cours préparatoire. En outre, nous proposons une progression de l’étude du code alphabétique fondée sur la fréquence théorique des correspondances graphèmes-phonèmes des textes écrits en français standard pouvant servir de référence aux enseignants. Nous étudions également les effets du temps d’enseignement de l’encodage sur les acquisitions scolaires, effets qui se révèlent significatifs et positifs mais qui varient selon la nature des tâches proposées et les publics ciblés.Dans la seconde partie de notre thèse, nous nous attachons à comprendre et à documenter la conduite de l’activité de maitres expérimentés de cours préparatoire à des fins de formation professionnelle. Nous analysons une situation de référence de l’enseignement du lire-écrire à partir des enregistrements vidéo de trente-six séances de lecture collectives. Puis, nous décrivons des scénarios pédagogiques prototypiques et nous posons les bases d’une formation destinée à développer les compétences professionnelles des enseignants. Nous soulevons notamment la problématique de l’articulation de la résolution de tâches de code et de compréhension et celle de l’autonomie de déchiffrage offerte aux élèves. Nous présentons enfin la plateforme numérique que nous avons élaborée et qui permet de déterminer la part déchiffrable des textes utilisés lors des séances de lecture collectives. Cette plateforme nommée Anagraph aide les enseignants à planifier l’étude des correspondances graphophonémiques et à choisir des textes adaptés à l’enseignement de la lecture / Our doctoral research focuses on the influence of phonics instruction on first-grade students’ progress. Its purpose is to identify effective teaching practices and to contribute to the training of teachers. This research is part of a larger study conducted by Roland Goigoux, which aimed to assess the influence of reading and writing on the quality of learning.The first part of our research examines causal relationships between the characteristics of phonics instruction and students’ performances in decoding and spelling. First, we study the influence of the speed of teaching of grapheme-phoneme relationships (tempo) and of the decodable part of texts used to teach reading (rendement effectif). Our results reveal a significant influence of these two variables on the quality of learning, this influence being different according to students’ initial levels. Besides, we propose a planning of the phonics instruction based on the theoretical frequency of the grapheme-phoneme correspondences in texts written in standard French which can serve as references for the teachers. We also study the effects of the teaching time allocated to encoding tasks on reading achievement, effects which appear to be significant and positive but which vary according to the nature of the tasks and to students’ characteristics.In the second part of our dissertation, we attempt to analyze and document teaching practices of experienced first-grade teachers for training purposes. We analyze a reference situation of the teaching of reading and writing from the video recordings of thirty six collective sessions of reading. Then, we describe prototypical teaching scenarios and lay the foundations for a training intended to develop the professional skills of the teachers. Specifically, we raise the issue of the relationship between the resolution of decoding and understanding tasks and the autonomy that decoding success afforded the students. We finally present the digital platform we designed, which allows calculating the decodable part of texts used during reading instruction. This platform named Anagraph has been designed to help teachers plan the study of the grapheme-phoneme correspondences and to choose texts adapted to their teaching

Den här studien behandlar hur lärare arbetar med olika didaktiska metoder för elevers läsinlärning. Syftet är att utreda vilken eller vilka läsinlärningsmetoder 24 verksamma F-3 lärare i Sverige säger sig använda samt om de upplever sig besitta tillräcklig kunskap om vald metod och hur de har fått kunskap om den eller dem. Frågeställningarna är således: vilken didaktisk metod använder lärare vid läsinlärning i yngre åldrar? Upplever lärarna sig ha tillräcklig kunskap om vald metod/metoder? Vad uppger lärarna om på vilket sätt de har tillägnat sig denna kunskap? Metodansatsen för studien är kvalitativ då tidigare forskning om läsinlärning har satts i kontext med insamlad empiri i form av enkätundersökning och intervjuer. Respondenterna är avidentifierade och anonymiserade för att dessa inte ska spåras. Resultatet av enkätundersökningen och intervjuerna visar att lärarna som deltog kombinerar olika didaktiska metoder för att öka elevers läsinlärningsprogression. Resultatet visar även att lärare säger sig ha kunskaper om metoderna de använder, dock vill majoriteten av respondenterna utveckla sina kunskaper genom kompetensutveckling. En annan faktor är även vikten av att föra reflekterande samtal med kollegor för att öka sina egna kunskaper och professionen i läraryrket. Slutsatsen är således att lärarna i studien gör medvetna val av didaktiska metoder och de besitter kunskaper kring metoderna.

It is a general belief in Japan that the English /s/ and /ʃ/ before high front vowels (as in "see" and "she") are problematic for Japanese ESL (English-as-a-second-language) learners. Some research has also reported the /s/ and /ʃ/ confusion by Japanese ESL learners. Their pronunciation errors are often explained based on phonetics, but there are reasons to believe that the learners’ knowledge of the phonemes of the target words is at fault. This study examines 1) whether monolingual Japanese speakers distinguish the [si] and [ʃi] syllables in both perception and production in the Japanese contexts and 2) what would be the sources of Japanese speakers’ challenges in mastering the distinction between [si] and [ʃi] in their English production if Japanese speakers can produce and perceive the difference between these syllables. This study conducted two experiments. In the first experiment, 93 monolingual Japanese speakers between the ages of 17 and 89 in and around Tôkyô read aloud the written stimuli that had [si] and [ʃi] in the Japanese contexts, repeated the sound stimuli that had [si] and [ʃi] in the Japanese contexts, and listened to the [si:] and [ʃi:] syllables in isolation recorded by a native speaker of Canadian English. The results showed that the participants all distinguished [si] and [ʃi] in both perception and production regardless of their ages. Based on these results, I hypothesized that the [s] and [ʃ] confusion by Japanese ESL learners is caused by misunderstanding, rather than an inability to articulate these sounds. In the second experiment, 27 Japanese ESL students were recorded reading an English passage. The passage contains /s/ (7 times) and /ʃ/ (11 times) before high front vowels. After the reading, the participants were taught the basic English phonological system and the symbol-sound correspondence rules such as “s”-/s/ and “sh”-/ʃ/. The lesson lasted 40 minutes during which the participants were also interviewed to find out their awareness of the symbol-sound correspondence. No articulation explanations were given during the lesson. After the lesson, the participants read the same passage. The results showed that /s/ and /ʃ/ were mispronounced 39 and 67 times respectively in total by the 27 participants before the lesson, but only 7 and 19 times after the lesson. These changes are statistically significant. Moreover, the interview during the lesson revealed that the participants lacked phonological awareness in English as well as the knowledge of the symbol-sound correspondence rules. This study concluded that many of the mispronunciations by Japanese ESL learners, including /s/ and /ʃ/, can be solved by teaching the English phonics rules and some basic phonological rules without teaching the articulation of these sounds.

本研究旨在探究以可解碼英文故事書(decodable storybook)為主的英語教學，對低年級英語低成就學童的影響，特別是在此補救教學方案下，學童早期英語閱讀能力及學習態度之改變及表現，並探討造成其改變的可能原因。本研究分兩階段進行，第一階段先進行小規模的預試研究作為正式研究之準備，目的在測試選用的英語可解碼故事書做為教材是否適切、教學活動是否可行，並根據初探結果規劃正式研究。第二階段的正式研究，根據第一階段的結果改良部分測驗、增加閱讀讀本、以及增加教師訪談等質性資料，以期進一步探討此補救教學方案對於學童早期閱讀能力及學習態度的影響。 在正式研究中，研究對象為台北市某國小英語攜手班(補救教學班)之五名二年級學習低成就學童（學業表現為後15%至20%）。研究者選擇Scholastic Company所出版的某系列分級可解碼英語故事書之第一套部分冊數作為讀本，搭配由整體到細部的架構理念設計課程，發展出適合本校學童的補救教學方案，將字母拼讀技巧訓練融入自然有趣的閱讀情境中。 本研究為行動研究，透過以質性為主的資料蒐集法，包含課室錄影錄音觀察、訪談、多方文件彙集及前後測評量，來進行研究結果之分析詮釋。學童每週均接受一次教學(每次三節課，共120分鐘)，共持續十六週。經過一學期補救教學後，對照學童前後測評量及各種質性資料分析，發現學童在字母認讀、單字辨識、單字拼讀及學習態度上均有正向改變。本研究也發現，使用可解碼故事書的內容來設計閱讀及自然發音教學活動，的確有助於低成就學童早期閱讀能力及內在動機之提升。本研究之結果及教學建議可供未來國小補救教學之參考。 / The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of decodable storybook instruction on the early reading performances and learning attitudes of Taiwanese EFL lower-grade underachievers in an elementary school in Taipei. An attempt is also made to explore the possible reasons for any improvement among the underachievers’ with respect to this remedial program. The present study was conducted in two stages. A small-scale pilot study was implemented as a preparation for the formal study in advance. The purpose of the pilot study was to investigate if the reading text of the selected storybook series is appropriate for underachievers, the feasibility of the decodable storybook instruction and the effects of the instruction on learners’ early reading ability and learning attitudes. Afterwards, the formal study was revised in modifying some test words as well as the scoring procedure on the early reading assessments, adding more reading materials and qualitative data sources such as teacher interviews. In the formal study, the participants are one remedial English class of five second graders (whose academic performances were at the bottom 15% to 20% of the grade). The curriculum was based on the contents of a commercial series of decodable story books—Clifford Phonics Fun Reading Program—pack one. The researcher adopted the framework of whole-to-parts phonics instruction to integrate reading activities and phonics training in an interesting and meaningful reading context. A variety of reading activities integrating four skills were designed and based on the content and topic of the storybooks to rouse learners’ interest. Decodable CVC words embedded in the story series were then explicitly taught to learners to apply letter-sound knowledge in their reading process. This study triangulates action research with qualitative data using classroom observations (video or taping), interviews, assessment records, and document analysis. Data analysis interprets the study results. After the sixteen weeks of remedial instruction, a comparison between the results of pre-tests and post-tests showed some changes in learners’ early reading ability, including letter-sound recognition, word recognition and visual blending, as well as a positive change in learning attitudes. The other findings were as follows. (1) Multiple teaching activities generated from the decodable story book can be beneficial to learners’ early reading ability and learning motivation. (2) The decodable story book is an effective language learning medium for learners to apply their decoding skills as well as to provide them with an interesting reading context to lower their anxiety in learning English. Based on the findings, a number of suggestions and pedagogical implications are provided for EFL elementary school teachers and further studies in the remedial instruction field alike.

For several years specialists in reading have debated on how pupils should learn to read. The debate has focused on two methods of teaching reading, that is, the phonic method and the whole language method. Some researchers have identified five elements of reading instruction that are critical to achievement in reading, namely; that reading instruction should include phonics, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. These are the components that make up what is termed a balanced literacy approach. Although there is some debate on what constitutes the balanced literacy approach, this study adopted the understanding of the approach described above. The study investigated whether the use of the balanced literacy approach could improve standard four pupils’ achievement in reading and writing in English. The targeted population consisted of twelve schools located in Zomba rural district. Pupils were tested before and after the intervention. Teachers in the experimental group were trained twice on balanced literacy approaches, first before the intervention and midway of the intervention. Observational measures revealed that teachers generally implemented the treatment. The post intervention data indicated that pupils responded very well to the activities that were presented to them. The reading and writing achievement of pupils that were present for the post-test increased more than those of the control group. The results obtained suggest that the balanced literacy approach improved the reading and writing achievement of standard four pupils in the experimental group. / English Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (English)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Two opposing approaches to beginning reading are used, namely the phonological and global approach, under which the whole word, whole sentence and whole language methods are classed. The whole crux of the controversy is situated in beginning reading as an explicit, intensive and systematic method of teaching phonics, as opposed to implicit beginning reading through discrimination of global configurations, augmented by psycholinguistic guesses within reading context. Arguments about the advantages and disadvantages of the opposing methods have been hurdled to and fro for decades without any discernible gain. The question emerged whether research on brain physiology with respect to language and reading, a relatively new field of study, could shed light on the foundation of an accountable method for beginning reading. Renewed insights to the controversial differences were gained, and brain physiologically accountable parameters as a base for a beginning reading method were framed from these insights. / Twee opponerende aanvangsleesbenaderings word in die skole gebruik, naamlik die fonologiese benadering en die geheelbenadering, waaronder die geheelwoord-, geheelsinen die geheeltaalmetode ressorteer. Die kern van die verskil tussen die aanvangsleesbenaderings le in aanvangslees as eksplisiete, intensiewe en sistematiese foneemonderrig, teenoor implisiete aanvangslees wat die waarneming van globale konfigurasies, aangevul deur psigolinguistiese raaiskote binne die leeskonteks, aanmoedig. In die polemiek om die beste leesmetode word argumente oor die voor- en nadele ten opsigte van die begronding van hierdie opponerende metodes reeds dekades heen en weer geslinger. Navorsingsresultate word eindeloos, sonder duidelike winste, met mekaar vergelyk. Dit het die vraag laat onstaan of navorsing ten opsigte van die breinfisiologie met betrekking tot taal en lees, 'n relatief nuwe studieveld, moontlik lig sou kon werp op die begronding van 'n verantwoordbare aanvangsleesmetode. Die literatuurstudie ten opsigte van breinfisiologie het vernuwende insigte oor die polemiese begrondingsverskille na vore gebring, en breinfisiologies-verantwoordbare parameters as basis vir 'n aanvangsleesmetode is uit hierdie insigte opgestel. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)