Which type of instruction focuses on an extensive, pre-specified set of letter-sound correspondences?

Systematic Phonics Instruction is characterized by its structured approach to teaching letter-sound correspondences, ensuring that students learn a comprehensive set of relationships in a logical sequence. This method explicitly outlines which sounds correspond to which letters and helps students decode words effectively.

The emphasis on a planned and sequenced set of correspondences distinguishes it from other instructional methods. For example, holistic phonics tends to integrate phonics into broader reading experiences rather than focusing exclusively on the relationships between letters and sounds. Analytical phonics involves breaking down words into their component parts after initial exposure rather than beginning with a comprehensive framework. Implicit phonics relies more on discovery and less on explicit instruction, which does not provide the same structured approach that systematic phonics does. This clarity and thoroughness in instruction enable students to build a strong foundation in their reading skills, making systematic phonics instruction highly effective for early literacy development.