Progression of Sounds & Word Structure

Decodable: This refers to the words that can be decoded at a given level. See this page for more information.

Progession of Sounds: Every phonics based programme introduces sounds in a different progression for their own reasons and purposes. I’ve chosen a progression which leads learners from little words (where they feel confident) quickly into longer and longer words which they will encounter in the real world.

On the Downloads page you’ll find a progression of sounds and lessons for

Foundation Levels and

Advanced Levels

Here’s some of the terminology defined:

Foundation Levels:

These levels are designed to take a learner from the ubiquitous “fat cat sat” etc to the much more exciting world of real text as quickly as possible. SPEED is the key. Each level builds on the last one so that the basic code is constantly practised and reinforced.

Basic Code: one letter to one sound and the 5 vowels are cat, bet, bit, cot, cut and no others.

Basic Code Plus : I also include x, qu, ll, ss and zz – just to make the vocabulary more interesting.

The usual progression is

cvc – bat, rip, fax, till but NOT sir or ball
cvcc – damp, quilt, golf but NOT talk or find
ccvc – skill, skit, trap but NOT scar or stick or bride

Because this is so limited and limiting, I suggested pushing through these levels as fast as possible.

Extras: This means introducing words which are mostly 1 symbol to 1 sound but with one extra, interesting thing that helps learners to read longer and longer words.

sh/ch/th (all at once) – lovely and easy lesson. Best thing in the world to see a very beginning learner spell “fish and chip shop”!
split vowels (magic-e of old)
ck, qu, x (not technically 1 symbol to 1 sound so may need extra practice)

Endings: By this point the basic code is well entrenched and it’s time to make longer and longer words – though still very controlled so that even the most struggling learners can read and spell beyond their expectations.

le
y
er
ing
tion

There is nothing “basic” about words like recognition, accomplishing and instructions yet they are all decodable at the last foundation level.

Advanced Code: Learners need to discover two main things about the English code once they get through the Foundation levels.

There are lots of ways to pronounce one letter or group of letters (graphemes). I call these Spelling Clones because they look the same but sound different. Think of <y> pretty, July, yet, myth

There are lots of ways to spell many English sounds. I call these Sound Clones because they sound the same but look different. Think of the “ay” sound. ate, aim, bay, April, they, weigh, great, vein, straight