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Whole Language Approach: blending sounds to read words and “reading wars” debate refers A fresh methodology is the slums and villages of Lucknow. can foundational literacy be
The whole language approach sentences. to the ongoing discussion and demonstrating remarkable speed Launched in 2022, the program is acquired in just 45 instructional
focuses on the meaning of the disagreement among educators and effectiveness. This approach currently operational in two dozen days? Seeing is believing. There
text and emphasizes reading Balanced Phonics Approach: and researchers regarding the most empowers both children and adults districts across India. Its success is growing evidence of the same
for comprehension rather than The balanced phonics approach effective approach to teaching to attain reading proficiency in just has led to its adoption by a whole including from Harvard Graduate
decoding individual words. We all combines elements of both whole reading. Proponents of the whole 45 instructional days. The roots nation, the Maldives, with 12 more School of Education.
most likely learned to read this way. language and phonics, integrating language approach argue for the of this program lie in eight years countries poised to implement it.
In India, and worldwide, this is the sight words, context, and phonetic importance of meaning-making of diligent research conducted in This does beg the question - how
pre-dominant way children learn to principles. and context, while proponents
read. of phonics advocate for explicit The ALfA Method: Accelerating Learning for All
There are proponents and critics of instruction in letter-sound
Phonics Approach: The phonics both of these traditional methods correspondences. The debate has
approach emphasizes the that often result in prolonged shaped the landscape of literacy
relationship between letters and learning periods, with children education for decades.
sounds, helping children decode taking several years to develop
and read words accurately. In a reading proficiency. In many cases,
phonics-based reading program, students struggle with basic reading
students learn letter-sound skills even after three to five years
correspondences. Teachers may of instruction, leading to low reading
use phonics games, flashcards, and comprehension and meaning-
word-building activities to reinforce making abilities.
the understanding of letter-sound
relationships. Students practice The Reading Wars Debate: The

ALfA—A New Disruptive Approach

ALfA, Accelerating
Learning for All, is an
engaging and effective
process of learning in
pairs. It is child-led and
child-centric. Teacher
is a galvanizer who Children take turns to decode first sounds from ‘known’ pictures from their
provides triggers for environment, then blend two or more sounds to make words on their own
children’s learning. from the beginning. They do not need to learn letters first (this alone saves
These are provided 1 to 2 years). Children create and co-create questions for each other and

in the ALfA Toolkits take responsibility for their peers’ learning. Peers are allocated randomly and
which consist of very changed frequently so that all children learn to work with the entire class.
thin booklets, acting as
triggers for children’s
expanded learning.

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