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If you’re a parent, carer or teacher today, you’ve probably heard the phrase systematic synthetic phonics more than once. It’s strongly recommended in the Australian Curriculum, widely supported by research, and increasingly discussed in schools and early childhood settings. But what does it actually mean — and why does it work so well for so many students?
Let’s unpack it in a clear, simple way.
What is phonics?
Phonics is the understanding that letters represent sounds, and that words are made by putting those sounds together. When students learn phonics, they learn how to decode words by sounding them out, rather than memorising them as whole shapes.
This means a learner who understands phonics can read new and unfamiliar words independently — a key step in becoming a confident reader.
What does “systematic” mean?
Systematic phonics means sounds are taught in a carefully planned, step-by-step sequence.
Students begin with simple, common sounds and gradually move towards more complex letter patterns and digraphs. Each new skill builds on what has already been taught, and nothing important is left to chance.
This structured progression is especially helpful for:
Programs like the Fitzroy Program, which has been used in thousands of schools in Australia and internationally, are designed around this principle of strictly gradual learning — just as we teach mathematics one step at a time.
What does “synthetic” mean?
Synthetic phonics refers to the process of blending sounds together to read words.
Learners are taught to:
For example: c – a – t becomes cat.
Once students master blending, they no longer rely on guessing or memorisation. They have the tools to work words out for themselves — and that independence is a huge confidence booster.
Why is systematic synthetic phonics so effective?
Decades of research into reading development show that explicit, systematic phonics instruction leads to strong outcomes in reading accuracy, spelling, and long-term literacy success.
Systematic synthetic phonics works because it:
Students experience success quickly, and that success matters. When reading feels achievable, learners are far more likely to enjoy it.
What does evidence-based phonics look like in practice?
High-quality, evidence-based phonics programs tend to share common features:
The Fitzroy Program includes ninety carefully graded decodable readers, supported by Word Skills workbooks that extend learning into punctuation, grammar, comprehension and creative writing. This ensures students are not just learning to read — they are learning to use language.
What About Irregular Words?
English spelling is largely systematic, but also includes a number of irregular words — words that don’t follow the common letter-sound relationships.
Systematic synthetic phonics addresses irregular words directly and explicitly. Learners are taught that while most words can be decoded using the sounds they know, some words contain unusual spellings that need to be learned and remembered.
Irregular (or “special”) words are:
Students are taught which parts of a word follow familiar patterns and which are irregular. With practice — such as through the Word Skills workbooks — they learn to manage both regular and irregular (“special”) words confidently, supporting fluent, independent reading and writing.
Why choosing the right resources matters
Not all phonics resources are the same. Programs that have been refined over decades of classroom use provide clarity and reassurance for both teachers and parents.
A well-designed phonics program supports learners across different settings — in classrooms, at home, and for students learning English as an additional language. It removes guesswork and allows adults to focus on supporting students with confidence.
A strong foundation for lifelong literacy
Systematic synthetic phonics gives students a reliable pathway into reading and writing. It helps them understand how English works, builds confidence early, and lays the foundations for comprehension, creativity and a love of language.
When students know how to read, they are free to enjoy what they read — and to begin writing stories of their own.
That’s when literacy really comes alive.
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A phonics-based English curriculum trusted by home schooling families across Australia for over 40 years.
