The Sounds-Write Podcast
Sounds-Write
The Sounds-Write Podcast is aimed at practitioners using phonics to teach children to read and write. The host hears from experts in the field of phonics in order to answer your questions. Sounds-Write is an expertly structured synthetic phonics programme based on the science of reading. For 20 years, we’ve been delivering a high-quality development programme which empowers education professionals to impart on children those most critical abilities for a happy, successful life and career: excellent reading and writing skills.
- 28 minutes 43 secondsEpisode 25: 2025 Phonics Screening Check (England) Analysis with Naomi Hinton
In the twenty-fifth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Naomi Hinton talks about the 2025 Phonics Screening Check that has just been administered to Year 1 students in England. She gives an analysis of the words on the check and then talk about the next steps for teachers in supporting students and reflecting on their own practice.
Some helpful links:25 June 2025, 9:00 am - 21 minutes 17 secondsEpisode 24: Phonics for Students with Diverse Needs (Symposium Preview) with Tita Beaven
In the twenty-fourth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Tita Beaven gives us a sneak peek at just a few of the 30+ talks that will play at Phonics Interventions: A Sounds-Write Symposium.
Some helpful links:
Get your Sounds-Write Symposium ticket12 June 2025, 10:00 am - 28 minutes 57 secondsEpisode 23: Leading Up to the Phonics Screening Check (England) with Laila Sadler
In the twenty-third episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Laila Sadler talks about the Phonics Screening Check and what educators can do to maximise the weeks leading up to the Check.
Some helpful links:
The Sounds-Write Membership19 May 2025, 5:00 am - 49 minutes 21 secondsEpisode 22: Pathways to Speech-to-Print Instruction with Speech-Language Pathologist Miriam Fein and Educational Therapist Sherry Cramer
In the twenty-second episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Miriam Fein and Sherry Cramer discuss their roles and experience, the partnerships between parents and different education professionals in a struggling reader's life and talk about speech-to-print and how it's affected their practice.
Some helpful links:
AET website
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list12 June 2024, 1:00 pm - 21 minutes 17 secondsEpisode 21: Phonics Interventions for High School Success with Ilona Sydney-Jones
In the twenty-first episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Ilona Sydney-Jones discusses the ins and outs of using Sounds-Write with high school students, the importance of supporting older learners with literacy and the specific adaptations she makes when using Sounds-Write with these learners. Enjoy!
Some helpful links:
SPELDSA
Train with SPELDSA
Base Camp article by John Walker
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list10 May 2024, 7:00 am - 20 minutes 38 secondsEpisode 20: Polysyllabic Words with Caroline Hardisty
In the twentieth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Caroline Hardisty is back to give plenty of helpful and practical advice for teaching polysyllabic words. Caroline discusses the rationale behind why we introduce polysyllabic words from simple to complex and in an explicit way, how to syllabify words, and how to implement differentiation techniques with polysyllabic word lessons. Enjoy!
Some helpful links:
The Sounds-Write Practitioners' Portal
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list12 April 2024, 6:00 am - 27 minutes 6 secondsEpisode 19: Advice for Phonics Leads with Donna Smith
In the nineteenth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Donna Smith is back to give plenty of helpful and practical advice for Phonics Leads. This episode comes in celebration of the recent release of our Phonics Lead Handbook, a brilliant (and free!) resource that will be any Phonics Lead's guide to all things Sounds-Write. Enjoy!
Some helpful links:
Access the Phonics Lead Handbook and many more useful documents
Alex saying the sounds Sounds-Write Initial Code
Episode 3: Phonics With Fidelity with Naomi Hinton
The Sounds-Write Practitioners' Portal
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list8 February 2024, 10:00 am - 44 minutes 31 secondsEpisode 18: Phonics in Small, Rural Schools with Helen Hampton
In the eighteenth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Helen Hampton talks about implementing Sounds-Write in small, rural schools. She discusses how to get started with Sounds-Write in this setting, how to maximise your resources and how to teach phonics to mixed-age classes. Enjoy!
Some helpful links:
Sounds-Write's Free Resources
Sounds-Write's Australian Shop
Train with Helen
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list6 January 2024, 7:00 am - 52 minutes 14 secondsEpisode 17: Language Development with Alex Bedford and Julie Sherrington
In the seventeenth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Alex Bedford and Julie Sherrington talk about their recently released book 'EYFS: Language of Learning'. Alex and Julie are both experienced and passionate educators. They discuss the importance of language development, the impact of the pandemic on children's language and how to put their brilliant handbook into practice. Enjoy!
"This book will be the go-to resource for practitioners who want a clear, user-friendly way to develop children's language in the EYFS setting. Inspired by Joan Tough's language development framework, it offers educators a way to understand, plan and sequence high-quality conversations to help develop shared thinking, communication and language. We love the clarity of the writing and the illustrations, and the worked examples bring the approach to life. We can't wait to go into schools that use this approach and see the children thrive!" ― John Walker and Tita Beaven, Sounds-WriteSounds-Write in the Early Years
Some helpful links:
EYFS: Language of Learning – a handbook to provoke, provide and evaluate language development
Alex's upcoming events and workshops
The Reading Together Collection
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list6 December 2023, 11:00 am - 14 minutes 5 seconds3: Nuggets of Language Nerdiness
Welcome to episode 3 of Nuggets of Language Nerdiness by The Sounds-Write Podcast! Do you know the difference between a language, a pidgin and a creole? What would a writing system look like if it could convey tone of voice and stress? What are false cognates? Join us as we explore these questions and more in this episode. Enjoy!
Some helpful links and sources:
Visit our website
Sign up to our mailing list
Like us on Facebook
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What is a language
What’s The Difference Between A Pidgin And A Creole?
Pidgin's etymology
History of Jamaican Patwa
Jamaican Patois and the Power of Language in Reggae Music
How Deaf Children in Nicaragua Created a New Language
Pidgins and Creoles
BBC News Pidgin
Language at the Speed of Sight: How We Read, Why So Many Can't, and What Can Be Done About It by Mark Seidenberg
False cognates26 November 2023, 8:00 am - 38 minutes 42 secondsEpisode 16: Grow Your Phonics Tutoring Business with Kirsty Gibbs
In the sixteenth episode of The Sounds-Write Podcast, Kirsty Gibbs talks about all things business. Kirsty is an experienced businesswoman in the tutoring industry. In this episode, she lays out her top tips for growing a thriving tutoring business. Enjoy!
Some helpful links:
Kirsty's podcast episode with Jacinda and Alison
Kirsty's podcast
Kirsty's website
Kirsty's free resources
Sounds-Write's Facebook
Sounds-Write's Instagram
Sign up to our mailing list6 November 2023, 7:00 am - More Episodes? Get the App