ABSTRACT
Before 1950 most people were taught to read English by what is called the Alphabet Method. In this system children first learn the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. They then learn particular sounds for each of the letters of the alphabet, having to remember that the same letter can sometimes take different sounds, such as the c in civil and in cavil, and that different letters can sometimes indicate the same sound, such as g and j in gib and jib. The children then learn to put the sounds together to make syllables and simple words.
