DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR PHONOLOGICAL COMPETENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS

Phonological awareness (PA), the ability to recognize and manipulate the sound structures of spoken language, plays a critical role in early literacy development. This paper explores the significance of phonological awareness in literacy, highlighting its impact on reading and spelling success. Through a synthesis of existing literature, the relationship between PA and vocabulary development, memory, and word consciousness is examined. Additionally, the development of PA in both young children and older students with reading difficulties is discussed. The research underscores the importance of explicit teaching of phonological awareness in the early years, providing recommendations for educators and future research.