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method involves memorizing the visual appearance
of a word without understanding its meaning, while
the phonics method uses unfamiliar symbols (letters)
to connect to sounds but initially which are also
Chance Dr. Gandhi recognized the need to create an
unknown as in “b” says /b/.

alternative approach to reading instruction that
starts with what learners already know, connecting
Encounter Can it to sounds, and then introducing the corresponding

symbols (letters).

In the ALfA method for literacy (Accelerating
Change Lives Learning for All), learners begin by looking at a
picture of a common object and are asked to identify
the FIRST sound of the word. They are then shown
the letter that represents that sound. No emphasis
is placed on the name of the letter or its place in the
alphabet. The goal is to connect a known picture to
first sounds of these pictures, and add the known

- By Joanne Telser-Frere sounds to make words from the beginning. The
letter is shown as a sound symbol. The ALfA method
consists of two concise books, enabling learners to

The journey towards organization specializing in adult education, I was grasp the method within just 45 days. The first book
teaches the sounds of consonants and vowels, while
universal literacy approached by Milita, who was searching for people the second book introduces digraphs and delves
is not an easy one, to discuss literacy-related issues on their new into more complex reading, including short stories
and poetry. Astonishingly, Dr. Gandhi explained that
YouTube channel called “D-Talks.” This initiative is
but with innovative part of Global Dream, a Disruptive Movement for learners can read a newspaper within two months of
methods like ALfA Universal Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, utilizing this method. This revelation astonished me,
given that I have witnessed the struggles faced by
spearheaded by Dr. Sunita Gandhi.
and the collective our adult learners, whose progress is often slow.
efforts of passionate During that time, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Low levels of literacy are often accompanied by
Sunita Gandhi and immediately became intrigued
individuals and by her program aimed at eradicating illiteracy low levels of numeracy. ALfA also incorporates a
organizations, we worldwide. She proposed a revolutionary method to kinesthetic approach to teach numeracy, using
teach reading to both children and adults.
popsicle sticks, matchsticks, or beans to facilitate
can turn the tide and counting. Within the same 45-day period, learners
empower countless Traditionally, there have been two widely debated can master foundational math skills, such as addition,

lives through the n the summer of 2021, action has already indirectly approaches to teaching reading. The first is the subtraction, multiplication, and division. This
“Whole Language” method, where words are simply
approach offers an engaging learning experience,
transformative power Milita Halder, a member of impacted the lives of a group of memorized as whole units. The second approach focusing on active participation rather than mere
adults in Chicago, and we hope
Dr. Sunita Gandhi’s Global
of literacy Dream team, contacted me, it can inspire positive change for involves teaching “Phonics”, which focuses on the memorization.
relationship between letters or groups of letters and
I and I had the opportunity hundreds of thousands more. the sounds they represent. Several aspects of ALfA immediately appealed to
to connect with individuals from me. First and foremost, it is an affordable program
across the globe who share the As the Director of Program One of the challenges, as explained by Dr. Gandhi, that can be accessed online, making it economically
same passion as me - transforming Development at Literacy Chicago, is that these methods often start from the unknown feasible. Moreover, it prioritizes environmental
lives through literacy. This single the city’s oldest non-profit and progress towards the known. The sight word sustainability. Additionally, ALfA employs pair work,

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