But what if you're one of those who isn't "most?"
I was not "most"--was taught by sight and it was a good thing because I had an auditory discrimination problem. I memorized spelling lists and if the teacher called the words out of order I was up a creek.
I've seen kids who knew all the letter/sound associations but couldn't read because they either had an auditory sequencing or auditory memory problem.
I'm a visual learner and always have been. The method of choice in my day taught to my strength. All I had to do was learn "Sally, run, Dick, Jane, and Spot" and I read a book. I met success early in school; I think it would have been different if I had been taught phonics.
No method works for all kids. But if the method doesn't work, the kid is "learning disabled."
I had good visual memory and was taught sight so I was "smart."