LITERACY BEGINS WITH THE ALPHABET
English writing is a sound code. The most efficient way to learn to write and read is to learn the sound symbols, i.e., the alphabet.
It is not enough to teach a child to recognize the letters in a book or on a screen. To internalize the connection between sound and symbol, the child learns to form the letter while saying its sound or sounds.
The mechanical basics of literacy are
THE ALPHABET, HANDWRITING, PRONUNCIATION, SPELLING, and GRAMMAR.
SPELLING
English spelling IS more challenging than that of Spanish and some other modern languages. It is NOT, however, too difficult for ordinary mortals to master. Most people can learn to spell the common words they use before they enter high school.
How to study for a spelling test
How not to teach and test spelling
Don’t misspell words the Spellcheck will catch
GRAMMAR
A sad fact of primary education is that many students get the idea that grammar is “too hard” for “ordinary” people to learn. This mistaken idea comes from trying to cover too much material too fast. Take one grammar concept at a time. When you understand it completely, go on to the next one. The place to begin is with the Parts of Speech and the Parts of the Sentence. Anyone who masters this information will be able to produce error-free speech and writing.
All teachers are English teachers
Television and the Present Perfect Tense