Learn English Phonics for Beginners

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My English Foundation Class book

Trusted by Singapore parents since 2012, My English School has helped more than 25,000 students build strong English literacy foundations.

Our Foundation Class welcomes children from age 3, placing each child in a group that matches their current ability rather than their age, so every lesson is pitched at exactly the right level. With small class sizes and a structured, play-based approach that goes beyond phonics, children develop genuine phonemic awareness and letter-sound recognition in a nurturing, enjoyable environment. And with our flexible lesson replacement policy, learning never has to be interrupted by life's little surprises.

At My English School, we don’t just teach phonics. We nurture the confidence and readiness to step into kindergarten and beyond.

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What is Phonics and Why Should Your Child Learn Phonics to Read?

Understanding what phonics is and how it supports reading development helps explain why early English enrichment makes such a lasting difference to a child's confidence and academic success.

How Phonics Teaches Children to Read English

Phonics is the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent. When children learn phonics, they learn to decode: how to connect the sounds they hear in spoken English with the letters and letter combinations they see on the page. This skill is one of the most fundamental building blocks of reading, and research shows that systematic phonics instruction significantly improves word-reading accuracy in young learners.

At What Age Should a Child Start Learning Phonics?

Most children are ready to begin phonics learning from around age 3, when their speech and language development supports sound awareness and simple instruction. Starting early matters. Studies show that more than 90% of a child's brain development occurs before age 5, making this a critical window for literacy experiences.

Benefits of Learning Phonics for Reading in Singapore

Learning phonics early gives children far more than the ability to sound out words. It builds the listening skills, vocabulary, and confidence that shape how a child communicates, learns, and engages with the world. 

In Singapore's bilingual households, these benefits are even more pronounced, as structured phonics instruction helps children distinguish English sounds from those of their home language from the very start. 

Our Foundation Class is designed to deliver these outcomes in every lesson, through:

Children begin to learn letter sounds for reading by exploring key English speech patterns both in isolation and in simple combinations. Our Teachers guide clear articulation through repetition and interactive exercises, helping students learn phonics with confidence.

Our classes teach children to identify key letter-sound relationships in common words. They learn to read by recognising and practising different sounds, such as consonants and vowels, in verbal prompts and hands-on activities.

Children learn and develop at different speeds. Rather than grouping children by age, we place students according to their current level of English aptitude, so that lessons are always pitched at the right level of challenge for your child’s progress.

Storytime builds vocabulary and reinforces phonics concepts through meaningful context. Children also engage in tracing and matching activities that help develop fine motor skills.

Speaking activities help children gain confidence using new words and sounds, easing the transition into more advanced reading.

English Phonics for Beginners: Class Details

Here is what our Foundation Class looks like in practice, so you can feel confident it is the right fit for your child.

Who is This Class for?

Our Foundation Class is designed for children aged 3 and above who are beginning their English literacy journey. Children are placed based on their current English aptitude, ensuring each student learns alongside peers at a similar stage.

Age group

3 years and above (N1 onwards)

Class size

Small group for individual attention

Placement

Ability-based, not age-based

Promotion

Based on individual readiness

What Your Child Will Learn

  • Recognition and production of all 26 letter sounds
  • Phonemic awareness through games, songs, and rhymes
  • Vocabulary building and early expressive language
  • Fine motor development and early writing readiness
  • Listening skills and the foundations of reading comprehension

Centre Locations Across Singapore

Find out how to learn phonics at any of our 15 centres across Singapore. With locations spread across the island, there is always a My English School near you.

CENTRE LOCATIONS

We have 15 convenient locations across the island:

Choa Chu Kang
Woodlands
Tiong Bahru
Tengah

Parkway Parade
Novena
Tampines

Jurong East
Jurong West
Downtown East
Simei/Eastpoint

Yishun/ Northpoint
Khatib/Wisteria
Potong Pasir
Harbourfront

View all our centre locations

Phonemic Awareness

MeFC

At these levels, students learn to…

  • Use basic spoken vocabulary
  • Hear and reproduce the sounds of English accurately
  • Isolate individual sounds of words (i.e. first, middle and last sounds)
  • Enjoy songs, sounds and rhymes

Decoding through Phonics

MeFCMRRCMy reading class

At these levels, students learn to…

  • Identify and produce the sounds of all the letters of alphabet accurately
  • Sound out words using letter sounds and common letter combinations
  • Recognise and apply common spelling patterns

Fluency through Practice

My reading class

At these levels, students learn to…

  • Use their phonics skills to practise reading independently
  • Focus on the meaning of what they read
  • Write answers to questions in complete sentences
  • Apply basic grammar concepts

Vocabulary Expansion

My reading classMy Primary
preparation class

At these levels, students learn to…

  • Recognise and understand an increasing number of words without conscious effort
  • Identify and use synonyms and antonyms of common words
  • Express curiosity about new words and discover meanings in context concepts

Reading with Comprehension

My Primary
preparation class

At these levels, students learn to…

  • Understand texts of increasing length
  • Follow a text consisting of multiple parts
  • Make predictions about story events
  • Identify characters and settings
  • Engage with imaginative stories linked to a variety of cultures

Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Phonics and How Children Learn to Read

Every child progresses at a different pace. With regular lessons, many children begin to learn phonics within a few months. Our Foundation Class in Singapore supports each child's individual journey, allowing them to build confidence gradually and advance when they are genuinely ready.

Our teachers closely observe how each student learns phonics and adjust the pace, content, and activities to match their progress and learning style. Because our classes are based on English ability rather than age, your child will always be learning at a level that appropriately challenges them.

Simple, everyday activities make a big difference. Try reading storybooks together, playing sound-sorting games, or pointing out letters and words during daily routines such as grocery shopping or mealtime. Consistent exposure to spoken and printed English at home reinforces what your child learns in class and helps them build a natural love of reading.

Yes. Phonics provides children with a reliable, structured method for decoding words, which is especially valuable for children who struggle with reading. By breaking words down into sounds, children gain a practical tool that reduces guesswork and builds confidence. Early learning through structured phonics instruction helps children prepare for Primary 1 English tuition and schooling.

Phonics is an essential starting point, but it is not the whole picture. English simply has too many irregularities to be mastered through phonics alone. That is why our programme does not stop at phonics. As your child grows, reading classes for kids inculcate a love of language as a hobby, and the Primary 1 preparation course provides targeted instruction to ensure your child is ready for formal schooling.

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Centre Locations

Choa Chu Kang
Woodlands
Tiong Bahru
Tengah

Parkway Parade
Novena
Tampines

Jurong East
Jurong West
Downtown East
Simei/Eastpoint

Yishun/ Northpoint
Khatib/Wisteria
Potong Pasir
Harbourfront

Map Locations

My English School

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Copyright © 2024 My English Pte Ltd