So what do children learn when asked to memorize the pronunciation key?
They learn how to temporarily mimic these sounds and even then, only when necessary, such as when their grades depend on this. Other than in these times, though, pretty much no one pays attention to this list of sounds, including English teachers.
Do most children ever genuinely learn this key then?
Not really. In fact, see for yourself. How many ways can you pronounce an "A" in English? Most dictionaries list either three or four.
Now actually try doing this. Without looking, how many ways can you pronounce an "A?"
Now a confession.
As I was writing this article, I realized, I did not know this information either. In fact, the only time I can ever remember even looking at a pronunciation key was a few years back when I became curious about foreign languages, especially those with a different alphabet, such as Greek and Russian.
What I realized from doing this was, learning any language begins pretty much with the same two tasks; learning to write the letters of the alphabet, and learning to speak the sounds these letters represent. Why then do I not know a single English-speaking person who can actually list the English pronunciation keys from memory. Not even half the list. Not even a small part of this list.
But can knowing these keys really be as important as I'm making it sound?
It is if you want to read out loud with confidence. Or learn from a dictionary. Or speak to your boss or to another professional.
It's also important if you want to write a letter or a paper for school. Why? Because editing what you write requires that you pronounce these words in your head. Thus, even in your head, you can hear words confidently or not.
OK. Reading out loud. Yes. Speaking to your boss? OK. Writing papers? Yes. But dictionaries?
Yes. Dictionaries. In fact, although most people do not use dictionaries regularly, these books are supposed to be our reference guides to even to our native tongue. And again, where in the dictionary are the alphabet and the pronunciation key listed?
Both are always found in the same place. They are found at the beginning.
If this is the case, then, and if understanding a language begins with these two things; with the alphabet and with a pronunciation key; why, then, do so few people ever learn both? How, in fact, can we be overlooking something this important?
Learning by Rote is Boring
I think we overlook it because most of us have been asked to learn pronunciation keys by rote, which is simply yet one more way to refer to learning by memorizing. Further, because everything we learn by memorizing gets erased, learning anything by rote is a royal pain in the butt. And boring.
Necessary though? Yes, at times. But boring none the less.
What is really important to note here is, because most people find this way of learning boring, most of us memorize only what we need to in order to be able to pass tests. And since the pronunciation key is not something on which we normally get tested, few, if any of us learn it let alone retain any of it.
So here are my questions. Would young children be better off learning this key right along with the alphabet? Could young children even be taught this information? And if so, is there a better way we could be teaching children the pronunciation key?
Would young children be better off learning this key right along with the alphabet?
I think this is a necessity.
Could young children even be taught this information?
I believe so. Yes.
Is there a better way we could be teaching children the pronunciation key?
What ideas do you have? Personally, I am a strong advocate of sight reading. You phonics pholks out there, please don't misunderstand. Phonics is a great word attacking skill, and a pronunciation key would help with this skill when facing new words... but for shear speed, recognizing whole words is the way to go... sounding out each letter or diphthong takes time.
I have a question though... I wonder if one can learn to read (silently) without knowing how to pronounce the words. Blind and deaf people do this all of the time...
No matter where you stand on reading... having fun books, with an anticipatory layout (wanting to turn the pages to see what comes next)strengthens reading and comprehension skills. There are a variety of places to find the right book-- I would recommend you take a look at Lunchpail Books... or find more articles on our official blog
Happy reading... http://www.lunchpailbooks.com
You might enjoy our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/lunchpailbooks
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