Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
134 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has looked at the sounds write method of the linguistic phonics programme; her views on whether it would be beneficial in schools here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23845/04]
View answerSounds write is a teaching programme using linguistic phonics methods which has been developed by a team based in Bradford on Avon in the UK. It offers a five day training course for teachers in instructional methods. The Department of Education and Science does not endorse commercially produced teaching and learning resources. It is the responsibility of teachers to select the teaching and learning aids to be used in their classroom, having regard to the needs of the pupils and the range of materials available.
Regarding the development of phonological and phonemic awareness, the teacher guidelines on the primary school curriculum in English contain a comprehensive discussion that outlines the recommended approach. The guidelines highlight that ability in oral language can be a determining factor in the speed and effectiveness with which a child makes progress in reading and provide for a range of strategies for the development of literacy skills. Inservice training for teachers, membership of such bodies as the National Reading Association, the Irish Learning Support Association, together with the network of locally based education centres, provide a range of settings where teachers can keep abreast of ongoing developments, tools and resources in regard to literacy.
