What is a main difference between English and Spanish literacy development?

The main difference between English and Spanish literacy development revolves around the nature of sound-symbol correspondence. In English, while there are many phonetic rules, the language has a more complex relationship between sounds and their written forms. This complexity can often make it challenging for learners to decode words accurately based solely on phonics, as English has a variety of irregular spellings and exceptions.

In contrast, Spanish has a more consistent phonetic structure, where letters and sounds have a more direct correspondence. This generally allows learners to decode words more easily and predictably, helping them build literacy skills more effectively. Thus, the ability to decode in English is less straightforward compared to the more systematic approach found in Spanish, emphasizing the difference in literacy development in the two languages.

This understanding showcases how foundational literacy skills can be affected by the phonetic structures of the languages, ultimately influencing how learners progress in their reading and writing abilities.