What is the main difference between phonics and whole language approaches to reading instruction?

The main difference between phonics and whole language approaches to reading instruction lies in their foundational philosophies and methods. Phonics instruction specifically concentrates on teaching students the relationships between letters and their corresponding sounds, enabling them to decode words. This method emphasizes the importance of phonetic awareness, helping students to sound out and blend words as they read.

On the other hand, the whole language approach encourages students to understand and interpret text as a complete entity rather than focusing solely on individual letters or sounds. It promotes a more holistic view of reading, where meaning is derived from context, prior knowledge, and engagement with the text. This method fosters a love for reading through exposure to literature in its entirety, supporting comprehension and encouraging critical thinking skills.

By emphasizing the difference in focus—phonics on letter-sound relationships versus whole language on understanding the text as a whole—the selected answer clearly captures the distinction between these two instructional strategies.