In this webinar, Neelam Abdul Gani, Nimali Weerasinghe and Eromi Mahamudalige discuss the reasons why we teach phonics and the methods that are used. Teachers are taken step-by-step through the information containing useful examples, practical tips and games to use with young students. The presentation contains examples of teaching materials and approaches that have been successfully used in Sri Lanka.
Here are the key points from the video:
- Phonics is a method of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) with the symbols (graphemes) that represent them. [1:01]
- Teaching phonics helps children learn to read, write, and pronounce sounds correctly. [1:21]
- It is especially beneficial for young learners because their muscles are still developing, and the sooner they learn these sounds, the easier it will be for them to learn to read. [1:28]
- When teaching phonics, it is important to teach the sounds, not the names of the letters. [2:01]
- There are 44 sounds in the English language. [2:52]
- It is beneficial to teach the sounds in the order of frequency. [2:57]
- Some activities to help young learners learn phonics include games, songs, worksheets, and flashcards. [4:22]