Why Hearing Comes Before Reading
Why Hearing Comes Before Reading
Before children can read words on a page, they must first hear the smaller sounds inside words. For EAL learners in Years 1–3, this step is especially important. When a child can clearly hear the /b/ at the beginning of ball or the /t/ at the end of cat, they are building the foundation for strong reading and spelling.
Research shows that good listening and sound awareness help children recognize patterns in a new language. Parents can support this at home in simple ways—by reading aloud every day, singing songs, or even talking about the sounds at the start of favorite foods. These moments make new vocabulary “stick” and help children feel confident when they begin blending sounds into words.
Strong listening today means smoother reading tomorrow. By tuning their ears first, our young learners are preparing to become independent readers in English.
Ms. Eva Gogova
