Which reading instruction method emphasizes understanding words rather than phonics?

Whole Language is an instructional approach that prioritizes reading as a natural process of constructing meaning from text. It emphasizes the importance of understanding words and their meanings in context, rather than focusing primarily on the individual sounds of letters and the rules of phonics. This method encourages students to immerse themselves in literature and engage with texts in a way that fosters comprehension, making connections to their own experiences and building a love for reading.

The Whole Language approach nurtures an understanding of language through exposure to complete texts, encouraging learners to decode messages and infer meanings rather than strictly learning phonetic principles. This immersive strategy contrasts with methods that prioritize phonics, structured literacy, or specific character recognition techniques, which focus more on the mechanics of reading, such as the relationship between letters and sounds.