How can we teach French sounds without memorising words from pictures?
Hear and distinguish the sound, link it to a letter, blend into a syllable and word, then check with a new word. Pictures explain meaning but must not replace decoding.
Practical takeaways
- Sound before the letter name
- Short, blendable syllables
- Pictures for meaning, not guessing
The core idea
Hear and distinguish the sound, link it to a letter, blend into a syllable and word, then check with a new word. Pictures explain meaning but must not replace decoding.
Skills that should be demonstrated
Each step offers a clear model, guided practice and a new example to check transfer.
- Sound before the letter name
- Short, blendable syllables
- Pictures for meaning, not guessing
- A new word to check skill transfer
How to apply it
Start with one example, think aloud and let the child try. If wrong, provide a targeted hint and another attempt rather than the answer.
How can we check understanding?
Use a new word or text of similar difficulty and ask how the child reached the answer or found evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Should we repeat the same material?
Repeat once or twice with a specific purpose, then use similar new material to check learning.
What if the child keeps guessing?
Cover the picture while reading the word, return to the relevant sound or context, then reveal the picture for meaning.
When should we increase difficulty?
When a new task is completed accurately, with understanding and little help—not merely because the example is memorised.