Sheena McDonald tackles the controversy over using phonics to teach children to read. A re-drafting of the government's literary strategy in 2007 is expected to order primary schools to use the system of 'synthetic phonics' to teach children to read. Under the system, sounds associated with letters or groups of letters are learned, before being combined into words. But many teachers have condemned the move, saying this method makes the process boring and onerous, and replaces the use of 'real books' with dull ones written specifically for reading schemes. Sheena McDonald is joined by reading experts and primary teachers to debate these issues.

Video Series: Talking Point
Release Date 2006