Foundation Phase

The Foundation Phase is the first stage on the road to becoming literate. It is also called the foundational or pre-literate stage.

Foundation learners represent a variety of age groups, family situations, countries and cultures of origin, languages, interests and skills.

Learners at the Foundation Phase:

• Have no or almost no formal education or familiarity with printed materials.
• Have few strategies for learning the written word.
• Are not familiar with the alphabet or have only a basic familiarity with it.
• May be able to spell their names without a model.
• Can read little other than their name or a few simple words.
• Often have no spoken English, but some may have developed speaking and listening skills.

Over the course of the Foundation Phase, learners:

• Improve their oral English in order to make connections between the spoken and the written word.
• Develop pre-reading skills including visual discrimination, directionality, sequencing and learning the names of the letters.
• Develop pre-writing skills including understanding the basics mechanics of letter formation and the conventions of where to write on a page.
• Learn appropriate classroom behavior.

The length of time it takes to develop pre-reading and pre-writing concepts can differ from person to person. Many Foundation Phase learners repeat this level. Neither the funding source, nor the program or the learner should see this as a failure. It is a legitimate opportunity for the learner to become proficient in these pre-reading and writing skills and concepts.

In this section, learn more about Foundation Phase learners and the appropriate outcomes, approaches, materials and classroom routines for this level. Learn about planning effective theme units and lessons.