Which strategy best supports decoding unfamiliar words?

• A. Memorizing entire word lists
• B. Explicit instruction in phoneme-grapheme correspondence and blending
• C. Focusing only on sight words
• D. Reading silently without feedback

Answer: (B)

Decoding unfamiliar words relies on how letters connect to sounds and how those sounds are blended to form spoken words. Explicit instruction in phoneme-grapheme correspondence and blending gives learners a reliable procedure for converting new spellings into spoken language. This approach builds a transferable decoding skill, not just recall of familiar words. Memorizing entire word lists can help with recognition of familiar items but doesn’t teach how to read new spellings. Focusing only on sight words limits decoding to words learned by memory. Reading silently without feedback misses chances to hear mistakes and strengthen understanding of letter-sound relationships. Therefore, explicit, systematic instruction in phoneme-grapheme correspondences and blending is the most effective way to support decoding unfamiliar words.