Which instructional method enhances printed-word recognition?

• A. Extensive vocabulary lists
• B. Sight words practice
• C. Listening exercises
• D. Silent reading drills

Answer: (B)

The instructional method that enhances printed-word recognition is sight words practice. This approach focuses on teaching students to recognize common words by sight, rather than decoding them phonetically each time they encounter them. By building a repertoire of sight words, learners can read more fluently and with greater comprehension, as they do not have to stop and sound out each word. This immediate recognition of sight words allows students to focus on the meaning of the text as a whole rather than getting bogged down by individual word decoding.

Practicing with sight words is particularly effective because many of these words are frequently occurring in written language, and they do not always follow standard phonetic rules, making them difficult to sound out. Learning these words enables students to read more smoothly and efficiently, which is crucial for developing overall reading skills. This method is often used in early literacy education to support young readers or those struggling with text recognition.