What does the term 'medial sound' refer to?

The term 'medial sound' refers specifically to a sound that occurs in the middle of a word. This concept is crucial for understanding phonemic awareness and helps in teaching reading and spelling using a structured language approach. Medial sounds are significant because they contribute to the overall structure of a word and play an essential role in its pronunciation and meaning. Recognizing medial sounds is also a foundational skill that supports students as they learn to manipulate sounds within words, aiding in the development of their reading and writing abilities.