The PHONICS TRAIN
The Phonics Train is the first reading scope and sequence that has specifically been created to guide instruction in ECD classes for learners who speak English as a second language.
The Phonics Train forms the foundation of a comprehensive reading scheme developed by author and Oasis founder, Oscar Ranzo, with support from ECCE Reading Specialist Jessica Parra, under the Fulbright Specialist Program, sponsored by the US Embassy in Kampala.
Why the Phonics Train?
The Phonics Train:
- Makes understanding and application of sounds quite easy for learners of English as a Second Language
- Allows for sounds to be introduced in a sequence that is simple, structured, sequential, and easy to follow
- Encourages skills to be taught systematically and cumulatively
- Ensures each skill is taught to mastery before moving on to a more complex skill
- Initially uses only words with a maximum of three letters (VCC and CVC words) for blending practice
- Provides local, culturally relevant references, teacher resources, and graded books that are affordable and easily accessible
Why is the Phonics Train different?
The Phonics Train develops all 5 key reading skills from the outset:
- Phonemic Awareness: the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds in spoken words
- Alphabetic Principle: the understanding that words are composed of letters which represent sounds
- Vocabulary: the acquisition of an understanding of new words and concepts
- Fluency & Accuracy: the ability to read quickly, accurately, and with expression
- Comprehension: the process that enables readers to make meaning out of text, and to communicate meaning about what was read
Our Technique
The Oasis Phonics Train has specifically been designed to simplify learning of the relationship between sounds, and the letters that represent them in words, for learners of English as a second language. To make this easy for the teacher, we begin by introducing only 6 carefully selected letters. The sequence in which sounds are introduced has been designed to help the learner acquire all the key reading skills from the outset, and to ensure that all words initially used to illustrate the sounds are CVC words. Even better, they only have sounds that have been previously learned.
The first two letters – a and d – are the cornerstone of this scope and sequence. They are among the first two sounds made by infants in our context (a-a, da-da) and they both have the same kinesthetic formation: they are made by turning the circle to the left and then drawing a stick in front of it, the only difference being that one stick is longer than the other. Even better, from just these two sounds, we can form a name (Dada) and four short words (a, ad, add, and dad) for blending and reading. Further, using the aforementioned name and words, we can start forming sentences to help develop the learner’s fluency (Dada, add a dad ad).
Once the learners have mastered the first two sounds, we introduce four more sounds (n, i, s, p) to complete our first group. The sounds are introduced one at a time (after every few days) at a pace guided by the learner’s learning rate. For each letter, we give the appropriate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimuli, as well as sufficient practice to help the learner grasp all aspects of the related sound and shape.
After the first six letters (a, d, n, i, s, p) are taught and the learners have met them in several CVC words, sentences, and reading prompts, the remaining 20 sounds are introduced one at a time in the sequence below:
/t/ /g/ /c/ /b/ /f/
/v/ /m/ /l/ /j/ /y/
/h/ /r/ /k/ /w/ /z/
/u/ /qu/ /e/ /x/ /o/
Only after these 26 basic sounds have been learned to mastery do we introduce more complex
concepts like digraphs, blends, diphthongs, silent letters, prefixes and suffixes, etc.
Basic Sounds Chart
The chart contains all the letters of the alphabet, rearranged in the sequence in which their sounds will be taught.
The Basic Sounds chart is progressive; it enables teachers to use only sounds that have been learned. That is why the first word is a, followed by dad, followed by nan, etc. This chart will allow teachers to teach 26 sounds in one school year.
It also features beautiful illustrations, mouth shapes, and short, decodable words. This chart is a must-have teaching aid for the Phonics Train.
Learner's Workbooks
The workbooks in the Phonics Train reading scheme have been designed to give beginning readers great phonemic awareness and a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds.
Sounds aside, beginning readers will learn the corresponding letter names for each sound & build vocabulary using simple, decodable words with colorful illustrations. This will give the learners a good foundation in reading, ultimately setting them on the path to becoming skilled readers who love to read.
The four workbooks in the Phonics Train reading scheme will help young readers learn Basic Sounds, Consonant Blends, Digraphs, and Sight Words.
Teaching Aids
Teachers will find the Phonics Train manual simple, structured, and easy to follow. This book provides a clear roadmap for teachers, showing them the strategies that can be used at each level to develop the relevant skills in their learners.
Syllables Made Easy contains helpful information on the various types of syllables, the sounds they produce, and syllable division rules.
Parents and non-teachers who wish to home-school their children will find the Teacher’s Manual and Syllables Made Easy to be excellent guides.
Contact Us to get started
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AddressJinja Road, Uganda House, Level 5
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Phone+256 753 607838
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Email