[taxcontrol]

I think that you described the normal path for speed readers. First learn the proper pronunciation using phonics, commit the word and meaning to memory and then practice the sight of the word to improve the rate at which the word is processed.

I am not opposed to phonics as it is a necessary skill for when one encounters unfamiliar words. I do believe that phonics should not be the end and as you described, sight reading should be the next “natural” progression to improve reading rate and comprehension.

As for consuming technical material I would say it depends on the technical background. I have found that as I advance in my understanding of networking, topics which I am familiar with can be consumed much faster. I guess it all comes down to one’s habits of reading.

Personal opinion - I believe that phonics can only make someone a marginal speller in English and often works to interfere with proper spelling. My spelling was extremely poor until I learned alternate the alternate pronunciation method.

For example “stomach” I now mentally process as sto-mach not stum-ick for the purpose of spelling the word. “knight” becomes k-night, etc.

[marktwain]

For example “stomach” I now mentally process as sto-mach not stum-ick for the purpose of spelling the word. “knight” becomes k-night, etc.

I use similar phonetic tricks for spelling.

I have had to become a better speller, to be a better writer.

Spell checkers help a great deal.

[Magnum44]

“knight” becomes k-night

Not kniggit?