Learning to Read: Beyond Phonics and Whole Language

This practical text draws on a wide but integrated range of research and theory on how children learn to read and appreciate literature. The authors provide a much-needed, balanced analysis of both traditional and progressive approaches that goes beyond phonics and whole language. Learning to Read features leading-edge research and a global perspective on such controversial topics as: literacy and social background, phonemic awareness, self-discovery of letter-sound relations, the use of text structure for comprehension, and the effects of contrasting teaching approaches. The student-friendly text includes preview questions, chapter reviews, and study questions to help the reader reflect on the chapter contents and discuss the implications for teaching and learning.

G. Brian Thompson is at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand and Tom Nicholson is at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.