At the school where I work in the northeast, we have picked up The Science of Reading approach, after years of failed programs. Seems to be a good approach that will result in actual literacy.
I am not sure about this, I am self taught and just recognize words. I assume this is why I read faster than anyone I have ever met.
Once I had a job where I had to support windows in all major languages, the only ones that gave me problems were the bi-di languages (Hebrew and Arabic) they would give me actual physical headaches and I still cannot read them.
P.s the symbol for ‘no’ in Arabic looks just like the playboy bunny. :)