Offers a description and a rationale for language experience learning, then presents an explanation of current developments and factors influencing the implementation of language experience programs. (FL)

Contends that children need to learn phonic skills, not necessarily through early direct teaching, but through reading experience. Suggests using Paired Reading, which is validated by psycholinguistic reading theory and provides opportunities to learn to read from context and use innate syntactic and semantic knowledge. (SKC)