What is the second step in the reading skill acquisition process?

What is the second step in the reading skill acquisition process?

• A. Encoding, which is the process of hearing a word and spelling it.
• B. Decoding, which involves sounding out words using phonics and phonological awareness.
• C. Skimming for gist.
• D. Reading comprehension practice.

Answer: (A)

The second step is encoding. After learners practice decoding—turning syllables and letters into sounds—the next essential skill is encoding, which is spelling and writing the word with the correct letters for those sounds. This practice reinforces the sound–letter relationships and helps solidify the mental representation of word forms. When students write words they’ve learned to read, they strengthen orthographic mapping, making it easier to recognize and read those words later. Skimming for gist and targeted reading comprehension practice are valuable strategies, but they come after the foundational ability to decode and encode basic word forms.

The second step is encoding. After learners practice decoding—turning syllables and letters into sounds—the next essential skill is encoding, which is spelling and writing the word with the correct letters for those sounds. This practice reinforces the sound–letter relationships and helps solidify the mental representation of word forms. When students write words they’ve learned to read, they strengthen orthographic mapping, making it easier to recognize and read those words later. Skimming for gist and targeted reading comprehension practice are valuable strategies, but they come after the foundational ability to decode and encode basic word forms.