Whole Language

Whole Language

Whole language describes a literacy philosophy which emphasizes that children should focus on meaning and strategy instruction. It is often contrasted with phonics-based methods of teaching reading and writing which emphasize instruction for decoding and spelling. However, from whole language practitioners' perspective, this view is erroneous and sets up a false dichotomy. Whole language practitioners teach to develop a knowledge of language including the graphophonic, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic aspects of language. Within a whole language perspective, language is treated as a complete meaning-making system, the parts of which function in relational ways. It has drawn criticism by those who advocate "back to basics" pedagogy or reading instruction because whole language is based on a limited body of scientific research.

Learning theory

The idea of "whole" language has its basis in a range of theories of learning related to the epistemologies called "holism". Holism is based upon the belief that it is not possible to understand learning of any kind by analyzing small chunks of the learning system. Holism was very much a response to behaviorism, which emphasized that the world could be understood by experimenting with stimuli and responses. Holists considered this a reductionist perspective that did not recognize that "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Analyzing individual behaviors, holists argued, could never tell us how the entire human mind worked. This is—in simplified terms—the theoretical basis for the term "whole language.

Whole language learning was designed to provide children with a better understanding of the full context of language. This approach emphasizes creativity when applied to learning to read and write rather than rote memorization of concepts that may contribute to some children's opinions of reading and writing as chore-like. Children who learn through whole language learning, however, may not develop as much accuracy in pronunciation, word recognition and spelling skills as one who learned through phonics-based teaching.

Role of Teacher

As it is a student centered approach the teacher is seen as a facilitators and an active participant in learning community rather than an expert passing knowledge.

          Role of student

Learners are collaborators and also evaluators of their own and other learning with the help of teacher. They select learning material and activities.