Because phonemes are the units of sound that are represented by the letters of an alphabet, an awareness of phonemes is key to understanding the logic of the alphabetic principle and thus to the learnability of phonics and spelling. The term phonics refers to instructional practices that emphasize how spellings are related to speech sounds in systematic ways. Phonemic awareness is more highly related to learning to read than are tests of general intelligence, reading readiness, and listening comprehension. Without phonemic awareness it is essentially impossible to acquire an adequate reading vocabulary. Phonemic awareness is the most important core and causal factor separating normal and disabled readers Phonemic awareness is equally important in learning to spell.
Oral language is our birdsong.
It is pre-wired in a way that let's us learn it without consciously analyzing it. In consequence, its conscious analysis is not natural and, for many, is not easy. In normal listening and speaking, attention is riveted on meaning and message. It is odd and difficult to ask children to attend to sound instead. Even having turned attention to speech sounds, it cannot be obvious to the child which sounds matter.