What approach would best accelerate an English learner's reading progress in English?

The best approach to accelerate an English learner's reading progress in English is to provide explicit connections between oral and written language. This method is particularly effective because it helps students make clear links between what they hear and what they read. When learners can understand that the oral language they already know corresponds directly to written language, it facilitates their reading development.

Establishing these explicit connections allows learners to leverage their existing language skills, making it easier for them to grasp new vocabulary, recognize common patterns in language, and ultimately improve their reading fluency. This approach is supportive of their existing knowledge and encourages them to transfer that knowledge into reading, enhancing their confidence and motivation in the learning process.

The other options, while beneficial in their own right, may not provide the same level of direct support in bridging the gap between oral and written language. For instance, identifying common consonant sounds in both languages could aid pronunciation, but might not directly link understanding and use of language in reading. Systematic blending and decoding strategies are valuable for foundational reading skills but may not address the unique challenges faced by English learners in connecting oral language skills with reading. Similarly, using textual context clues is a helpful strategy, yet it can be difficult for learners who lack vocabulary or background knowledge