Which strategy is most effective for accelerating the reading progress of an entering-level English learner with grade-level skills in their home language?

The strategy of supporting the identification of common consonant sounds and teaching English syllable types is particularly effective for accelerating the reading progress of an entering-level English learner with grade-level skills in their home language because it builds a solid phonemic awareness foundation.

Understanding consonant sounds is crucial, as these sounds form the building blocks of words. By focusing on common consonant sounds, learners can recognize and produce the sounds they encounter in English more readily. Teaching syllable types helps students understand the structure of English words, including how to decode unfamiliar words, which is vital for developing reading proficiency. This approach not only reinforces their existing skills from their home language but also targets specific elements of English that may differ.

In contrast, other options, while beneficial in different contexts, do not directly address the foundational phonics and decoding skills that are essential for English reading development at this stage. Visual aids can support vocabulary but do not provide the same impact on sound identification and decoding. Encouraging free reading with English books may be overwhelming without a strong grasp of basic sounds and syllable structures, and pairing with proficient speakers, while beneficial for language exposure, does not offer the direct instructional support that this learner needs to improve their reading skills systematically.