The role of phonemes in short term memory is also fascinating. Indications are that phonemes are held in short term memory just long enough for the brain to extract meaning from what is read. Lack of phonemic awareness may be a major cause in the havoc of language processing problems. For a normal readers, yes, the contextual approach is preferred. But for adults who have failed to learn to read, the words on the page must be decoded before comprehension is addressed.
Comprehension is clearly the goal of reading.
While the main focus of the Wilson Reading System is decoding and encoding, comprehension strategies, pulling in experience to encourage understanding, and visualization to employ all the senses, is incorporated during all text reading. Barbara Wilson advocates the use of the WRS as part of literature-based instruction. Most readers do not need the structured, multisensory approach. I started out using the whole language approach. I just found too many skills lacking and since we are not trained reading teachers, we didn't know how to provide instruction which allowed our learners to acquire the needed skills.