Education Commons^™

Whole Language Versus Direct Phonics Instruction, Emma Holtan

Graduate Teacher Education

There has been a debate for the past 30 years over which method is superior for teaching emergent readers, whole language instruction or direct phonics instruction? This literature review poses the question: when differentiated instruction is implemented, is it better to use whole language instruction, direct phonics instruction, or use a combination of both? This paper analyzes research studies looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The studies investigate how whole language and direct phonics instruction each have benefits and drawbacks for whole class instruction. It also examines the benefits of direct phonics instruction as an intervention or …