Freeman & Freeman 3-4

Two theories, word recognition and sociopsycholinguistic try to explain how students develop phonemic awareness or the ability to identify phonemes in a word and changing them.

The word recognition theory asserts that phonemic awareness is conscious. Students use metalinguistic knowledge or knowledge about language. Where as, the sociopsycholinguistic view, would assert that phonemic awareness is subconscious. They would view oral langauge as a continuous stream which has no segments, and for students to understand oral language they must be able to percieve the sounds that are being produced and the parts that accompany the sounds. Students acquire this ability rather than learn it.

I agree with the sociopsycholinguistic view. I believe that phonemic awareness is subconsciously acquired. Being able to differentiate between different segments in speech is the actual goal of being phonemically aware. Meaning you are acquired this ability. I believe the best way to help students develop phonemic awareness is to have them read or read aloud to them. Not soley for their phonemic awareness, reading also increases vocabulary, and metalinguistic skills. Just to name a few of its advantages when learning a language.