The Editor, Sir:

I read with interest Martin Henry's article 'New focus on literacy' (April 6). Synthetic phonics tackles illiteracy in precisely the way he outlines. It targets whole classes at an early age and aims to teach them the basic sounds of English to enable them to start reading as soon as possible.

A major review in the UK has found that it is hugely effective in tackling literacy and has resulted in the UK government issuing guidance to all primary schools in the country to use synthetic phonics to teach literacy. Critics have said that synthetic phonics reduces reading to a dull code, but this could not be further from the truth. Jolly Phonics, a leading synethic phonics programme, is multisensory, using songs, actions and movement to teach literacy and make it fun.

Jolly Phonics publisher, Chris Jolly, is visiting several Caribbean countries in the next month, including Grenada and St Vincent. In Grenada, the programme has had exciting results in terms of improving children's reading rates.

I am, etc.,

MANDY GARNER

mandy@jollylearning.co.uk

Chigwell, Essex

United Kingdom

Via Go-Jamaica