What is the primary goal of phonics instruction?

The primary goal of phonics instruction is to teach students how to decode words. This approach focuses on the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent, enabling students to sound out words systematically. By mastering phonics, students gain the essential skills needed to break down unfamiliar words into manageable parts, which is crucial for reading success. This decoding process lays the foundation for effective reading, allowing children to independently tackle new texts and build their reading confidence.

While improving reading comprehension, enhancing vocabulary, and increasing reading fluency are important aspects of overall reading development, they are secondary outcomes that can be supported by strong phonics skills. For instance, once students are able to decode words effectively, they are better equipped to understand the meaning of the text they read, develop their vocabulary through engagement with more complex texts, and practice reading fluently as they become more familiar with various words and their sounds.