Whole Language Approach

Whole language is a method of teaching reading and writing that emphasizes learning whole words and phrases by encountering them in meaningful contexts rather than by phonics exercises.

Principle:

·      Focus on learning the complete meaning of a word

·      Focus on making meaning in reading and expressing meaning in writing

·      Emphasis on high-quality and culturally diverse literature

Advantages:

·      They have better understanding of what they are reading, and a more interesting and creative approach to reading

·      There are no lists of sounds or rules to be learnt

Disadvantages:

·      Students who are taught using a pure whole language without a phonics component have difficult time learning how to spell

·      Students misinterpreting words

·      children with limited ability to memorize a sequence of words