There are four major approaches to teaching reading: the Basal, Language Experience, Individualized, and Programmed, none of these is best suited for all individuals at all times. Under certain circumstances there are definite advantages in using one approach rather than the others. And in some situations, a combination with emphasis on one of the approaches, generates more progress in individuals than the use of any one of the above.

But how does one determine which approach to use in their classroom? Under certain circumstances there are definite advantages to using an approach. Under other circumstances, the limitations may supersede the advantages and negate them. For example, it may be very beneficial to use the Basal approach with a beginning young reader, but an older beginning reader may be completely "turned off" by it. For him the Language Experience approach may be better.

The beginning young readers may respond best to a combination of the Language Experience approaches and the Basal. As he Increases in skills and fluency, the Basal may be emphasized more than Language Experience until he is ready for the Individualized approach.   The percentage of time spent emphasizing an approach should be flexible to take best advantage of the unique characteristics of the approach as it meets the changing needs of the student.

By reading the brief description, advantages, and limitations of each approach, one may conclude that the Programmed approach is highly structured and impersonal, the Basal approach is structured with group and teacher interaction, the Individualized approach is based on student interest and self-selection with teacher and pupil interaction, and the Language Experience approach is keyed to the special interests of students with sharing of ideas with the teacher and peers. The following includes a brief description of each approach and its advantages and limitations.

Basal Approach
Language Experience
Individualized Approach
Programmed Approach

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