Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers

by Louisa Cook Moats

For two decades , Speech to Print has been a bestselling , widely adopted textbook on explicit , high-quality literacy instruction. Now the anticipated third edition is here , fully updated with ten years of new research, a complete package of supporting materials, and expanded guidance on the how of assessment and instruction in today’s classrooms.

Filling a critical gap in teacher preparation courses, Speech to Print supplies K-12 educators with in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of language–fundamentals they need to deliver successful structured literacy instruction. Renowned literacy expert Louisa Cook Moats gives current and future teachers comprehensive, accurate, and accessible information on the underpinnings of language instruction, including :

the history of the English language and its effect on spelling
English phonology, including speech sounds and their distinctive features
how print represents speech in English
the morphological aspects of words
syntax and its instruction
how meaning is conveyed with language


Through case studies, activities, recommended teaching principles, and close analysis of real-world student work samples, teachers will also receive invaluable insight into how their students should be taught. Ideal for use in preservice courses and in-service professional development sessions, this essential textbook will give educators the strong foundation they need to teach language and reading skills to students with and without disabilities.

WHAT’S NEW:

New and expanded practical content on the how of language and reading instruction
New and updated chapter exercises
New faculty support materials
More on key topics like program and curricula selection, frameworks for instructional planning, and problem solving when students are slow to respond to intervention
More accessible, undergraduate-friendly tone and structure
Additional graphics to illustrate key concepts


NEW FACULTY SUPPORT MATERIALS! Support your instruction with a complete package of online companion materials, including chapter quizzes, a sample syllabus/course outline, PowerPoints to accompany each chapter, PDF handouts for selected concepts, and a video demonstrating production of all the sounds in the English language.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development, Language, Reference, School

344 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jean Schram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is getting a lot of positive press in the Science of Reading community. This is for good reason. I learned a lot about phonetics, phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax, semantics, and how to put it all together through structured literacy instruction. But, be warned: This is a textbook. There is a lot of high-level stuff in here! I read it for a dyslexia certificate class and was glad to have the guidance offered through the graduate class. I am in an online book study of it, and folks are struggling with the content. I thought I had a pretty firm grasp of some of these topics, but I learned dozens of new vocabulary words and phrases throughout the book. It was worth it, though. Moats helped me understand these topics more deeply, so I do feel that I am now better equipped to help my students. (I am a Title 1 reading teacher.)

[Caitlin M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good reference book. Felt like a mini linguistics degree in a textbook. Some sections didn’t flow logically but I loved the practice activities throughout the book to solidify the concepts.

[Ellen Riggenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the knowledge and understanding I have been looking for as a primary school teacher. I would recommend this book to anyone that teaches English is any capacity. The book helped me explore the complexity of teaching/learning to read and write, and showed me how fascinating and clear this process can be with structure and clear goal posts. This will remain as a reference for me and one I hope to read again with others. We (teachers) are often looking for a program to teach reading and writing, yet what we really need is the knowledge, understanding and structure that Moats provides in Speech to Print.

[Heather Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though some of the technical wording is hard to follow, overall this is a fantastic resource to build background knowledge for teachers. Highly recommend!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seminal text on reading research and instruction.

[Sarah Meldrum · Rating 1 out of 5]

My class piloted this textbook. This was NOT user friendly! Where are the pictures and examples? Perhaps this book is geared towards graduate level students instead of undergrad... but for a textbook targeted towards teachers, this was not a good teaching model.

[Alissa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading for a literacy graduate class - not a thrilling read but very useful in learning how our language transfers to reading.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Already had a strong background in linguistics as as required to work with the severely and profoundly deaf and found it so beneficial when 15 years later I was working with the hearing in spec ed. This should be one, of about 10 books.- I would recommend to the curriculum for teachers college [ The the most unproductive, boring, brain crushing year of my life - couldn't wait for the intervals to work with the kids! ]. The book is an educational text so start with the titles and just the summaries - the normal type of overview. I liked the exercises and used / wrote many similar exercises to support teachers woking with ESL and children with weak literacy backgrounds.

I felt vindicated with her point of view and see so much value in these concepts being a part of a teacher's basic knowlege. However I was disappointed when I reached her Sample Lesson Plan as she did not use knowledge of speech to teach decoding. I find that actually using 'speech - print' and 'print - speech' so helpful with hearing impaired, ADP, may LD and a wide variety of other types of non-readers.

I tend to believe that
20% will read no mater how they are taught.
Another 20% will read with an adequate teacher
Another 20% will read with a very good teacher
Another 20% will read with an excellent teacher
The last 20% will read only with with intervention that can address decoding issues that may be impacted by a wide variety of other issues that may causing problems. A percentage of these cannot be done in a class setting.
I work exclusively with the bottom 20% who struggle to decode [a few who have even been 'gifted' and many just have a 'glitch' in ther view of print ] or struggle to comprehend what they read [ much more complicated and takes more time].
This book would benefit by being supported by Spaulding - The Writing Road to Reading.
C. McGuiness' book is also very helpful to understand the process and
the companion Reading Reflex - a good place to start for parents- who what to be involved.
As for how I teach - have yet to see it anywhere else- very speech / kinaesthetically based.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive look at the development, structure and function of language and how it impacts the way we decide and comprehend text. While there was more information than what I could ever possibly need or even be able dissect (a lot of info for speech paths!) I found so many “WHYS” behind the “that is just the way it is” method I was taught. While I have already been incorporating a lot of these practices in my classroom the last few years (I am a true nerd at heart!), I have found reassurance and inspiration for ensuring my instruction is following science and I am excited to continue to enrich my teaching with the new Information I gathered.

[Hannah Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a challenging read. More for people who are already aware of the basics:phonological awareness, phonics instruction, syllable types, etc.

I do wish the last chapter in actually implementing the approach was more of the book.

The more that I read about these science of reading books, the more that it overwhelms me in just how hard it is for children to read. This intimates me lol. it’s good to know about…but i need more actual strategies aside from decodables and phonemic awareness. These things are great, but i specifically need help with blends and glued sounds (-nk and -ng) words and these are huge hurdles for us. Any suggestions, teachers? Help!

[Ann Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that leaves me thinking, “Why didn’t I learn all of this in college?” It’s frustrating to know that teachers spend thousands of dollars for a degree in education and our universities are failing them so miserably. That aside, this book was an excellent dive into the various facets of language that are important to reading and writing. To teach reading and writing teachers should have a firm grasp over the concepts themselves. This book equips teachers with the knowledge necessary to teach English. Should be required for ALL teachers.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of useful information in this book, obscured by the use of the phonetic alphabet. If you aren't familiar with it, it can make reading this book like trudging through mud. I don't think, in a book for general use by teachers, it's helpful to keep incorporating it into examples and more. I may or may not refer back to this book; I have others that are more accessible with similar information.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a linguistics course I am taking to add TESOL certification to my teaching certificate. I would not say that I enjoyed reading this book. Moats delves into copious detailed examples for every single thing. I enjoy learning about linguistics but the format that I had to process this book through, the structure of the class, definitely affected how I experienced the book and makes it difficult for me to write a review of the book itself.

[Carrie Knotts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome resource for new and veteran teachers. I read this for the purpose of ESOL certification. I have been a teacher for 25 years. This was a great refresher in the essentials of language with lots of built in practice to try after reading about a concept. This book also has many suggestions that can be implemented right away in your classroom. Content heavy, not a quick read, but I learned so much.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is a linguistics/reading acquisition textbook. Highly detailed information with clear explanations on how to apply it in the classroom. Addresses linguistics knowledge and instructional methods for effectively teaching reading. Great resource for PLCs. Hard to read cover to cover (I haven’t managed to get all the way through it yet.)

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly comprehensive look at structured literacy and why it works with easy-to-understand definitions that are explained in multiple ways and used across chapters. I especially liked the practice exercises Moats provided to solidify concepts. A must-have resource for anyone who teaches reading.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information in this book, but it is so dense I found it difficult to read. I should have approached it more like a textbook. I will definitely need to go back and take it in smaller bites to apply it to my teaching.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is chalked full of great exercises and directions for how to teach reading and writing. I am reading this text with a group of educators working with the dyslexia forum for the state of Indiana. I think this will be a great resource for our educators.

[Erin Cramer-Erbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable practice exercises throughout offered a path to deeply learn the skills myself before attempting to share them with students. The workbook was a big part of this too - I recommend both for any SLP or other reading instructors.

[Ellen Deckinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ehhh... not my favorite PD book. Definitely some points to ponder.

[Steph · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly dry. Helpful for teachers of young readers but difficult to align with strategies for older learners.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource

[Jessica Nicole Abercrombie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of good foundational knowledge for teachers on reading! It makes you hyper aware of how you teach!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first three chapters were beneficial for me. After that I didn't get anything very useful.

[LG]

I read this book as part of a weekly book group. I found it super helpful to unpack the ideas with other teachers. It's a book packed with information.

[Heather B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging topic but essential for those who teach reading or just love the language.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and comprehensive text. A "had to" read for an advanced linguistics class. However, the progression made sense

[Andy]

DNF. Like a textbook for elementary grade teachers. As advertised, but too detailed for my interests.

[Nicole Ehrhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prek to 3rd grade teacher must read!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A seminal book for reading teachers