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Let's Read: A Linguistic Approach
Originally published in 1961, Let's Read is a simple and systematic way to teach basic reading. Developed by noted linguist Leonard Bloomfield, the book is based on the alphabetic spelling patterns of English. Bloomfield offered an antidote to the idea that English is a difficult language to learn to read by teaching the learner to decode the phonemic sound–letter correlations of the language in a sequential, logical progression of lessons based on its spelling patterns. The learner is first introduced to the most consistent (alphabetic) vocabulary and then to increasingly less alphabetic and less frequent spelling patterns within a vocabulary of about 5,000 words. The second edition of Let's Read brings Bloomfield's innovative program into the twenty-first century without changing the sequence of exercises but with revised text and an attractive new design and layout.
Authors Cynthia A. Barnhart and Robert K. Barnhart, who have long been involved with Let's Read, have refined the original edition with new vocabulary and content based on feedback from longtime users. The new edition lightens the first learning load by presenting lengthy patterns in two lessons rather than one, adding more connected reading and new vocabulary, and introducing some sight words earlier in the sequence. The authors have also added a list of multisyllable words at the end of part 1 that fall within the patterns of the first lessons, and they have added some longer stories later in the program. The notes introducing each part of Let's Read have also been revised to be more informative, and new illustrations have been added.
Let's Read not only teaches users to read English based on spelling patterns but simultaneously reduces the emphasis on pronunciation to teach letter sounds, making it useful for bilingual and nonnative English speakers as well. Parents, reading teachers, tutors, as well as ESL teachers and adult literacy instructors will be interested in the second edition of Let's Read.
Authors Cynthia A. Barnhart and Robert K. Barnhart, who have long been involved with Let's Read, have refined the original edition with new vocabulary and content based on feedback from longtime users. The new edition lightens the first learning load by presenting lengthy patterns in two lessons rather than one, adding more connected reading and new vocabulary, and introducing some sight words earlier in the sequence. The authors have also added a list of multisyllable words at the end of part 1 that fall within the patterns of the first lessons, and they have added some longer stories later in the program. The notes introducing each part of Let's Read have also been revised to be more informative, and new illustrations have been added.
Let's Read not only teaches users to read English based on spelling patterns but simultaneously reduces the emphasis on pronunciation to teach letter sounds, making it useful for bilingual and nonnative English speakers as well. Parents, reading teachers, tutors, as well as ESL teachers and adult literacy instructors will be interested in the second edition of Let's Read.
- GenresEducation
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 27, 2026
Let’s Read: A Linguistic Approach offers a thoughtful and systematic way to approach reading, particularly for learners who may find English spelling and pronunciation confusing. I really appreciated how the book focuses on the relationship between letters, sounds, and spelling patterns rather than simply asking learners to memorize words.
The gradual progression from simpler, more consistent spelling patterns to more complex ones makes the learning process feel structured and manageable. I also found the emphasis on connected reading and useful vocabulary especially practical, because it gives learners an opportunity to apply what they are learning rather than treating each lesson as an isolated exercise.
What stood out to me most is how adaptable the approach seems to be. The material could be valuable for parents, tutors, reading teachers, adult literacy instructors, and people learning English as a second language.
Overall, this is a well-organized and practical resource for anyone interested in teaching or improving basic English reading skills. It takes a linguistic approach but presents the learning process in a way that feels logical and accessible.
The gradual progression from simpler, more consistent spelling patterns to more complex ones makes the learning process feel structured and manageable. I also found the emphasis on connected reading and useful vocabulary especially practical, because it gives learners an opportunity to apply what they are learning rather than treating each lesson as an isolated exercise.
What stood out to me most is how adaptable the approach seems to be. The material could be valuable for parents, tutors, reading teachers, adult literacy instructors, and people learning English as a second language.
Overall, this is a well-organized and practical resource for anyone interested in teaching or improving basic English reading skills. It takes a linguistic approach but presents the learning process in a way that feels logical and accessible.
May 3, 2020
Despite its age I found this book to be absolutely revolutionary in comparison to a lot of the 'common knowledge' reading advice out there.
Brilliant in its simplicity the scathing perspective of Bloomfield was practical and refreshing, the methods entailed are foolproof bare bones reading instruction that is foundational and too often not offered to those who need it most. The methods outlined are structured but more accessable than classic phonics, which can start with an assumed proficiency and automaticity with phonological awareness that many struggling readers don't have.
Most of all it provides the incremental and repetitive reading practice needed by struggling students to discern sounds and map letter strings to long term memory.
It should be in every library and required reading for anyone teaching someone of any age to read.
Brilliant in its simplicity the scathing perspective of Bloomfield was practical and refreshing, the methods entailed are foolproof bare bones reading instruction that is foundational and too often not offered to those who need it most. The methods outlined are structured but more accessable than classic phonics, which can start with an assumed proficiency and automaticity with phonological awareness that many struggling readers don't have.
Most of all it provides the incremental and repetitive reading practice needed by struggling students to discern sounds and map letter strings to long term memory.
It should be in every library and required reading for anyone teaching someone of any age to read.
March 12, 2018
This turned out to be a good source for my students who don't yet have fully developed phonemic awareness. The lessons that are provided in the book are excellent for onset/rime practice.
February 8, 2021
By far the best system I’ve tried with my son. Feel very confident that this is a solid supplement to the disrupted school year. Wish I had this when I was a new teacher.
May 23, 2024
Amazing. It works with children who are not quite ready for phonics, and works very well with my six-year-old. After a year of trying phonics (and still struggling) this has made a huge impact on his reading, and our sanity.
Can't say enough about this, it has made reading so much easier, and given a lot of insight into the limitations of early readers in English as well as other languages. Children's book authors should pay attention to this!
Can't say enough about this, it has made reading so much easier, and given a lot of insight into the limitations of early readers in English as well as other languages. Children's book authors should pay attention to this!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews