Systematically teaches the SOUNDS of English
Uses guided-oral-reading as the backbone of the
     program
Teaches the 220 highest-frequency English words
     that comprise 50—70% of all written text
Teaches reading AND writing
Humorous texts appeal to all ages, from youngsters to
     middle-schoolers, to adults.
Easy, EASY learning curve from ultra-simple to
     complex sentences.
It works!  Hear it in the words of teachers who use it.

Systematically teaches the SOUNDS of English:

"Phonemic awareness"  is the ability to HEAR the separate (distinct) parts of a word, and is an essential component in learning English.

Progressive Phonics systematically tackles ALL the "sounds" of everyday English:

Simple short vowels
The 33 most common consonant blends and digraphs  (this, shop, frog, and, park, etc.)
Long vowels (English long vowels is such a "gnarly" subject that Progressive Phonics breaks it down into four separate books)
L controlled vowels (old, ball, talk, etc.)
W controlled vowels (word, new, now, show, etc.)
R controlled vowels (star, are, care, or, etc.)
And, of course, the "non-sounds" — silent letters.

Uses guided-oral-reading as the backbone of the     program

Students who read and reread passages out loud as they receive guidance and feedback become better readers and speakers.

Progressive Phonics is the only phonics/English program that uses guided-oral-reading every step of the way.  And because all the texts and lessons are built into the pages of the books, the books can be used in a variety of ways:

One-on-one with a teacher, TA or tutor
Small groups (the teacher works with a small number of students while the other students are otherwise occupied)
Choral reading
Homework assignments (to read at home with relatives or friends who speak English)

The beauty is that ANYONE can teach using Progressive Phonics -- if they have a working knowledge of an English or American accent, they can just pick up a book and start teaching/coaching students.

Teaches reading AND writing

Progressive Phonics is one of the only programs out there that systematically teaches English using the four key components --

Hearing the individual sounds
Speaking it over and over and over (and over)
Reading it using a systematic phonics approach
Writing it using the companion handwriting worksheets

Why writing?  When students WRITE what they learn, they learn it better -- writing activates kinesthetic (motion) memory, which is the earliest, strongest and some say the most reliable memory channel. 

Teaches the 220 highest-frequency English words

Back in the 1950's, Dr. Edward Dolch proved that there were 220 high-frequency words that make up 50%–70% of all written text.  These words, such as I, an, what, go, have, the, of, that, for, etc., are the "connecting" words that hold sentences together.

If someone can automatically read, speak and hear these 220 key words, then they only have to decode/figure out a handful of words in each sentence.

Some programs teach these words in isolation, which can be difficult and frustrating for students.  Progressive Phonics teaches these words naturally and in context, with emphasis on a variety of meanings.

Humorous texts

Neuroscientists have discovered that humor makes the brain work "harder" -- and dramatically increases retention.

The texts and humor appeals not only to small children, but older kids and adults as well -- what could be better than laughing and learning at the same time?

Easy, EASY learning curve

Because they were originally designed for young children, the books are very, very simple -- even better, they teach English without getting "bogged down" (mired) in the complex mechanics of English grammar.

And because each book focuses only on a handful of topics, students can read and re-read each book so they can fully "get it" before graduating to the next book.

ESL teachers who use it...

"Hi - I am a middle school English Language Learner teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am using your phonics book in my four reading classes. The classes are mixed levels of grades 6, 7, and 8. We are almost finished with Book 3.  So far [four weeks into the program], I am very happy with the results I have seen.

"One of the problems with second language learners is that they do not have the vocabulary that English speaking students pick up as they are learning the language. I find your books to be very helpful in building that same vocabulary. Every day we read 4 new poems (as we call them) and run through the reading of the ones we have already read. Any new words they do not know, we add to our vocabulary word wall. I have found that the daily repetition and review reinforces and intensifies their vocabulary and word recognition. I already have seen a difference in their reading ability, especially the lowest level readers and we've only been using it since January.

"Thank you so much for this series! I can't wait to see their progress at the end of the year. I plan to go through all 13 books. I will write again and let you know.

"ps - Almost forgot the most important thing - my kids laugh and really enjoy what they're reading, even the 8th graders!! Keep up the good work!"

S. S.
ELL Reading Teacher

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I would like to commend your Progressive Phonics. It is a great idea!  I am currently carrying out my practicum as an ESL teacher at the elementary level. I will surely utilize the Progressive Phonics with my third grade students. I believe it will help tremendously. I wish you all the best in your Progressive Phonics endeavor. Blessings, Mr. R

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Thank you for your wonderful material. Believe it or not, I use it to teach adult women ESL (English as a Second Language) students. It is easy enough for non-English speakers, and engaging enough so they do not feel they are reading a primer.

I like the fact that it teaches basic phonics while including Dolch words. I am not a professional educator, but a director of a non-profit charitable organization. While "researching" good, fundamental reading programs, I found your website on the internet. Overall, I use your basic readers as the reading foundation portion of my class.

Thanks again. You have made my job easy and effective.

Best Regards,
M.T.J.

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"Your Phonic Books are great! I use them to teach English as a second Language students." D.K.

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I teach children with learning disabilities at a non-government, Catholic school in Pretoria, South Africa and I just want to say THANK YOU for the amazing Progressive Phonics Books.

In South Africa, our school year begins in the middle of January, so I’ve only had my new class for 4 weeks, however, my little ones are thoroughly enjoying your beginner books. (The pupils in my class are between 7 and 9 years old, and this year I have 7 pupils in my class.)

As you probably know, we have 11 official languages in South Africa!

Although the school I am at is an English medium school, all of my pupils do not speak English at home. For most, English is their second language and for others it is their third language. Most of their parents do not speak English, and those that do cannot pronounce the words correctly. Your books are helping these parents as well as their children, come to terms with the English language.

For some of my pupils, your book is also the only book that has ever been read to them by their parents! At my information evening at the beginning of the year, I made all the parents ‘promise’ to read these books daily with their child. I even made 7 copies of Book 1 for parents evening (luckily I didn’t run out of ink, although half way through I thought my old printer was going to kick the bucket!). I then made the parents read a few pages of the book with me so that they could understand what to do at home, they all left parents evening full of enthusiasm!
3 of my pupils have already returned Book 1 and couldn’t wait for their copy of Book 2. The others tell me that their parents have read some of Book 1 with them, but I’m not sure if they have and will follow up next week to see if there are any problems, or if it’s the same old story – no time etc. i.e. parental neglect creeping back!

Here are some comments from the parents who are reading the books with their children daily:

"Thank you. My husband and I have had great fun taking turns reading to Mpho every night."
“I can’t believe my husband and son are reading together, this has never happened before.”
"Oagile’s brother (who is 15 years old!) can’t wait for him to bring book 3 home.”

May you be blessed abundantly for sharing these books worldwide via the internet.
Yours,
B. U.

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Dear Progressive Phonics,Thank you for your excellent books. I am using them to teach my children to read English. My kids are older and speak English as a second language. I live outside the United States and find your book an irreplaceable source. Thank you, Mrs. S. B. G.

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Thank you so much for your excellent books. As remedial resources, we are all going to benefit from these at our school. The books are colourful, compact and interesting. As we recently changed from an Afrikaans school to an English medium school , these will come in very handy!
B. v. R., Head of English at a Primary School.