<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Re: [FocusOnBasics 1089] Re: (no subject)</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<FONT SIZE="4"><FONT FACE="Cambria"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:11pt'>Robin,<BR>
<BR>
Several years ago when Parents As Teachers focused on brain development, they talked about windows of opportunity for learning. They stressed that although the window is closed, it is possible to “shout through the window”. During the training I received, it was stressed that there is always a possibility for learning.<BR>
<BR>
Regarding the phonemic awareness issue, I read, but can not cite, an interesting experiment. The focus of the experiment was to train Japanese adults to hear the difference between the r and l sounds. The process was to use a speaking computer and have the sounds drawn out very, very slowly. The concept was that teachers do not speak slowly enough or consistently enough to have an impact. [I have noticed, for example, that some adults who have been to speech therapy will say ‘arah’ for r. We all tend to add a sound to consonants.] The result of this experiment was the the subjects were able to hear the difference in the two sounds and, having heard it, they were able to correct their pronunciation.<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Sarah Beaman-Jones <BR>
Literacy Program Director<BR>
<BR>
LIFT-Missouri<BR>
815 Olive Street, Suite 22<BR>
St. Louis, Missouri 63101<BR>
<BR>
1-800-729-4443 ext. 206<BR>
www.lift-missouri.org<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</SPAN></FONT></FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>