English reading is more complex than regular reading because English has two sets of symbols: alphabetic and phonetic. English readers must convert alphabetic symbols into phonics before expressing them as spoken words. This makes learning to read faster a difficult task without phonics: exchange = ekschanj.

Note: This workbook is for advanced, experienced readers. If you are just learning to read, it might be better to start with the workbook, Early Reading Skills. It starts with the basics such as alphabetics, phonetics, and syllabication.

Have students learn to read the individual symbols of the alphabet and phonetic alphabet first. Next, teach them to focus on the vowel sounds as they read the alphabetic and phonetic stories out loud. To read well, they must blend sounds, syllables, and words into sentences. This means that students must learn to decode and read words sound-by-sound and syllable-by-syllable. To do that, they must practice reading both the alphabetic and phonetic spelling of each word before voicing it.