Using phonics to develop the emergent English literacy skills of Spanish learners

Abstract

Phonics is well established in the English-speaking world, but to date it has been implemented to only a limited extent in contexts where English is a foreign language. This study aimed at evaluating the appropriateness of phonics for developing literacy skills of Spanish learners of English. An experimental pre-test – post-test design was used to determine the method’s added value. The sample consisted of two equivalent groups in a Spanish bilingual state primary school, a control and a treatment group, where a phonic method was implemented by the researcher. Data were collected through tests measuring emergent Spanish and English literacy skills. Non-parametric tests and correlations were used for data analysis. The treatment group presented a significant improvement in phonological awareness, naming and letter and pseudo-word reading in the Spanish and English post-test. These 7-year-old children attained a level in English literacy skills equivalent to English children aged 5.8. The findings also suggested a positive transference of skills between English word reading and Spanish pseudo-word reading. The present study can serve as a possible proposal to help improve our Spanish bilingual programmes through the use of phonics in the early years in order to increase learners’ English reading level.