HOW many times have we been told that something needs to be done about reading standards?

The definitive answer is to use a standard phonetic method of teaching reading in all primary schools.

We all know that the brain scans words as a whole and recognises the shape. This fact seems to advocate that a whole word method of teaching is the best.

Poppycock! To recognise the shape of words and memorise them, one has to be familiar with the written word and have a good visual memory.

A reception class teacher is confronted with a large group of five-year-olds from a variety of backgrounds. Some will not have been exposed to the written word and many will have a poor visual memory. In teaching a phonetic system of reading, there are 46 sounds to be learned.

With constant repetition, systematic teaching and a positive attitude, most young children will learn them. Once learned, the door is open and access gained to a whole new world.

Experience can then be gained to recognise shapes of words. Their spelling may not be first class but with the English language, spellings have to be learned anyway.

ELIZABETH SIMS, Hermitage Road, Abingdon