A Case Study Of The Effect Of Phonics Approach On A Young English Beginner’s Reading Fluency

The development of reading fluency is the key aspect of English reading. Reading fluency includes reading rate, accuracy and appropriate expression(Grabe, 2004). Phonics is used to help children master the relationship between sound and letter in English speaking countries. It is generally regarded as an effective method to improve reading ability. Phonics is also treated as the easiest way to remember vocabulary. But the destination of increasing reading ability through phonics is ignored. Little attention has been paid to research on reading fluency through phonics approach in English teaching. Therefore, this study explores the effectiveness of phonics approach on a young English beginner’s reading fluency and whether phonics approach can improve the child’s interest in English reading.This study adopts a case study method on a third-grade pupil in Chu Ying Primary School in Shenyang. The child is observed for one semester. The child spends 15 minutes every day in the reading activity from Monday to Friday and 90 minutes on Saturday. Observation, interview and tests are employed to collect data. The findings show that phonics approach has a positive effect on a young English beginner’s reading fluency. The reading speed develops from 45 words per minute to 60 words. The reading accuracy changes from 47.17% to 65.09%. It also shows that the materials of phonics approach increase the child’s interest in English reading.