Phonics shows many ways that letters stand for many sounds. Phonetics shows one way to spell each sound. By using most common phonics forms as much as possible to spell the 40 sounds of US English truespel phonetics integrates the two. Just learn 40 spellings and you can spell any word of English as you hear it phonetically. Truespel can be learned by adepts in an hour with proficiency after a few hours practice. It is available for free on line. See discussion at http://justpaste.it/truespelsite In fact learning phonetics makes phonics obvious and not needed to be dwelled on.
Hi Susan, I'm not an expert on phonics apps, but I've heard people talk about Starfall. I'm curious what those who have used this resource --which is designed for kids -- think of its usefulness.
Susan, Starfall is great for kids....and also for adults! I teach Spanish-speaking adults, and the majority of my students are mothers. So I show them my site, Pumarosa, along with Starfall, so that they can study English with their kids. Actually one of the mothers taught her 5 year old boy how to read in English before he learned Spanish.
A year ago I visited a friend who was a teacher in Guadalajra, Mexico. She took me to visit a friend whose kids were in her classes, and the kids showed me how they watched Starfall on the television!
Many immigrant parents feel very frustrated beause they usually cannot help their children in school due to their lack of English skills. With the use of approapriate websites, parents can become involved with their children's education and there should be no doubt that the children will benefit a great deal.
Comments
Phonics shows many ways that letters stand for many sounds. Phonetics shows one way to spell each sound. By using most common phonics forms as much as possible to spell the 40 sounds of US English truespel phonetics integrates the two. Just learn 40 spellings and you can spell any word of English as you hear it phonetically. Truespel can be learned by adepts in an hour with proficiency after a few hours practice. It is available for free on line. See discussion at http://justpaste.it/truespelsite In fact learning phonetics makes phonics obvious and not needed to be dwelled on.
Hi Susan, I'm not an expert on phonics apps, but I've heard people talk about Starfall. I'm curious what those who have used this resource --which is designed for kids -- think of its usefulness.
Cheers, Susan Finn Miller
Moderator, English Language Acquisition
Susan, Starfall is great for kids....and also for adults! I teach Spanish-speaking adults, and the majority of my students are mothers. So I show them my site, Pumarosa, along with Starfall, so that they can study English with their kids. Actually one of the mothers taught her 5 year old boy how to read in English before he learned Spanish.
A year ago I visited a friend who was a teacher in Guadalajra, Mexico. She took me to visit a friend whose kids were in her classes, and the kids showed me how they watched Starfall on the television!
Many immigrant parents feel very frustrated beause they usually cannot help their children in school due to their lack of English skills. With the use of approapriate websites, parents can become involved with their children's education and there should be no doubt that the children will benefit a great deal.
Hello colleagues, Some of you might be interested in checking out the summaries of four reading apps on the ProLiteracy website. Let us know if you have experience with any of these apps.
Cheers, Susan
Thanks, all, for the great suggestions!