RALI will serve as a means for parents and educators to exchange ideas and experiences about ways to develop literacy. The second major thrust of the Institute will be to strive to effect changes in the methods of language arts instruction endorsed by Alberta Education. Many people are dissatisfied with the results produced by whole language. Not surprisingly a number of elementary teachers are included in this number. RALI would especially like to hear from teachers.
Teachers are the ones who really know what methods are effective.
We are aware, however, of the strong pressure that is exerted by the administration to ensure compliance to the whole language philosophies. Therefore RALI will respect the desires of any person wishing confidentiality. With both approaches, students are taught to extract meaning directly from print instead of converting it to spoken sound. The worst strategy for any reader who is having difficulty understanding text is to slow down and make sure that every word is identified correctly. Smith does not explain how it is possible to take an elevator to the twelfth floor of a house.