What is the “whole language” approach?
The alternative approach (called the ‘whole language’, ‘whole word’ or ‘look and say’ approach) is to teach the recognition of whole words and associating the pattern of letters and shape of word directly with the meaning of the word. The theory is that, to read rapidly, one needs to have immediate recognition of whole words, and direct access to their meaning. Words that cannot be so recognized may be understood from context, grammar, etc.
