Best Method to Teach English

For teachers and parents alike, one of the most important questions is: what is the best method to teach English? With so many approaches available, it can be difficult to know which path to take. The good news is that research — and decades of classroom experience — point us towards a clear answer: phonics is the best method to teach English.

Why Phonics Works

English is, at its heart, a phonic language. Words are made up of phonemes(sounds), and these are written down using graphemes (the letters or letter combinations that represent those sounds).

For example, the word ship has three phonemes: /sh/ /i/ /p/. These are represented by three graphemes: sh, i, and p. Once children understand this simple relationship between sounds and letters, reading becomes a process of decoding: recognising the graphemes, saying the phonemes, and blending them together into words.

This is why phonics is so powerful — and why it is widely considered the best method to teach English reading. Instead of treating words as random shapes to be memorised, it shows children the underlying code of the language.

The Development of Literacy Theory

For many years, children were encouraged to learn words by sight alone, almost like memorising a logo. While this works for a few high-frequency words, it quickly becomes overwhelming. English has thousands of words, and expecting young learners to remember them all is like asking them to memorise the phone book.

This whole-word approach also leads to guessing, a habit that causes mistakes and dents confidence. Phonics takes another path: it gives children the decoding tools they need to work out words independently. That is why, when parents and educators ask, “What is the best method to teach English?” the answer comes back again and again: systematic phonics.

The Role of Spelling Patterns

One of the strengths of phonics is its focus on spelling patterns. English has more than 40 different phonemes (sounds) but only 26 letters, so letters often combine into digraphs and trigraphs — graphemes like ay, igh, or ow.

When children learn these spelling patterns step by step, they see that English is not random at all. For instance:

●       day, play, stay all share the grapheme ay for the phoneme /ai/.

●       night, light, bright use the grapheme igh for the phoneme /ie/.

By recognising these patterns, learners build both reading and spelling ability. They begin to predict how sounds are likely to be written, and how written words are likely to sound. This predictable structure is another reason why phonics is the best method to teach English spelling and reading.

Step by Step Progress

Phonics introduces graphemes and phonemes in a carefully graded sequence. A small set of sounds and letters allows children to read their very first words: cat, dog, sun. With each new spelling pattern introduced, their reading power expands.

This gradual structure means success is built in at every stage. Like maths, where counting comes before multiplication, phonics breaks reading into manageable steps that add up to mastery.

Early Success Builds Confidence

Children thrive when they feel capable. With phonics, even beginners can decode real words after just a few lessons. Simple, decodable texts that use limited graphemes and phonemes let learners read whole stories for themselves.

These early successes are motivating. Children realise they are not just guessing — they really can read. The pride that comes from unlocking words independently is a powerful boost to confidence.

Beyond Sounds: A Complete Approach

Of course, English is more than just sounds and letters. A strong phonics program also develops spelling, punctuation, grammar, comprehension, and writing. As children master new graphemes, phonemes, and spelling patterns, they apply them in increasingly complex sentences and texts.

Irregular words — sometimes called sight words — are introduced gradually too. High-frequency words like was or the don’t follow regular spelling patterns, but with a solid phonics base, children are better equipped to remember these exceptions.

Why Teachers and Parents Choose Phonics

For teachers, phonics offers a clear, research-backed framework that works in whole classes, small groups, or one-to-one. For parents, it’s practical and easy to reinforce at home.

The Australian curriculum now places strong emphasis on phonics, including grapheme–phoneme correspondences and common spelling patterns. This reflects what works best in classrooms: systematic, synthetic phonics instruction — widely recognised as the best method to teach English.

Making English Make Sense

So, what’s the best method to teach English? The answer is clear: a systematic phonics approach. By teaching graphemes and phonemes step by step, building knowledge of spelling patterns, and weaving in high-frequency words and related literacy skills, phonics makes English logical and accessible.

Most importantly, phonics gives learners the keys to unlock the written code of English. With confidence, independence, and a love of reading, children are set up for a lifetime of literacy success.

The Fitzroy Program, with its carefully graded Readers and structured phonics sequence, is such a valuable resource for classrooms and homes alike — giving teachers and parents the tools they need to boost the literacy of their students and children using the best method to teach English.