PHONICS: AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO TEACHING READING TO LEARNERS WITH READING DIFFICULTIES (DYSLEXIA)

Abstract

Reading entails a complex task that requires learners to master some skills to ameliorate its com-plexity. It is a receptive ability and one of the four basic language skills; the other skills include: lis-tening, speaking, and writing. Reading serves as a medium of decoding information from written text. As per the complexity of reading, many learners, not only those exhibiting reading difficulties, face challenges before becoming conversant with it. This paper examined Phonics Approach to teaching reading to learners who encounter reading problems. The approach is effective in helping such learn-ers to understand letters and how to pronounce them correctly and accurately. The approach can al-so promote active learning engagement as it stresses more on relationship between letters and sounds, reading fluency and proficiency as well as vocabulary development. Finally, recommenda-tions were offered on how to further address dyslexia.