Readalong uses a Phono-Graphemic approach in learning to read, which mimics the way we learn to read naturally. Phono is short for phonemes, which simply means sounds. The sounds or phonemes are represented by different graphemes, that is different letters or letter combinations.

For example, a word like ‘dog’ has three letters, three phonemes and three graphemes, ‘d’ ‘o’ and ‘g’. However, whilst a word like ‘chair’ has five letters, it has two phonemes, represented by the graphemes, ‘ch’ and ‘air.’ In a word like eight, there are only two phonemes, represented by the graphemes ‘eigh’ and ‘t.’

When you begin to understand the code, that is be able to decode, then you can take this knowledge and apply it to learning all sorts new words. For example ‘chip, chat and much as well as fair, hair and pair no to mention weight, freight and sleigh.

You can see that it’s not just an advantage in learning to read but in fact essential if one is to learn to read properly. Readalong uses this phono-graphemic approach and puts it all together in an graduated and systematic way through 4 student books.

Book 1 will teach students how to form words from the sounds of the Alphabet (see Book 1 for a more detailed description)

Book 2 uses specially coded text to move from reading words, building them using a single letter-sound strategy to reading words that have sounds represented by more than letter. (see Book 2 for a more detailed description)

Book 3 teaches students the last nine Diphthong sounds. (see Book 3 for a more detailed description)

Book 4 will take students to a whole new level by learning all the spelling variations not contained in the first three books. By the end students will have unlocked the secrets of the alphabetic code. (see Book 4 for a more detailed description)