3 Simple Steps +  8 Rules =  SUCCESS

Step 1 - Combinations

Forty seven letter clusters we call Combinations are the "heart" of the Read Quick reading program for learning how to pronounce words. Each Combination consists of 2-5 letters each and are taught much like teaching the alphabet; each with consistent speech and spelling, found in nearly every word in the English language.  If Combinations are 'not' found in a word, then Steps 2 & 3 will develop the proper letter-sound control to decode the word for correct pronunciation.

* Decode:  A method or strategy a person uses to "figure out" a  word to pronounce.

Step 2 - Borrowers (C, G, & Y)

Borrowers are controlled by 5 rules:

1. C - followed by 'e, i, or y' will borrow the 's' sound, if not, it will borrow the 'k' sound.

2. G - followed by 'e, i, or y' will borrow the 'j' sound, if not, it will borrow the 'g' sound, with a few well know exceptions (like get - girl);

3. Y - When 'y' is the first letter in a word, it is a consonant and says 'y-' (like Yes).

4. In the middle of a word, 'y' is a vowel and borrows the 'i' sound, it may be long - short or silent ;

5. and, when 'y' is at the end of the word, it is a vowel and borrows 'e' or 'i' - always try 'e' first.

Step 3 - Vowels

Vowels, not part of a Combination, are marked long if they follow the double vowel rule or the final 'e' rule.  If a vowel cannot be proven long by either vowel rule, then it must be marked short in the word.

• Double Vowel Rule:  When two vowels are together, the first vowel will be long and the second will be silent.

• Final E Rule:  The final E can jump back one consonant to a single vowel and make that vowel long. 

  • Final E is sometimes dropped when certain suffixes are added to a word.  The hidden E still may control the final single vowel before the final single consonant.

• OL Rule:  The 'O' before the letter L is long in approximately 50% of words.

If a vowel is marked short and word does not make sense, then change vowel sound to long and see if word sounds correct to the *Reading Brain.  Changing from short to long is not a common occurrence but may be necessary to pronounce words properly, based on the ultimate vowel control using Read Quick.

(*Reading brain = recalling how words sound and are pronounced from the learner's auditory language memory using both Gestalt and logic brains for processing.)

Ultimate vowel control occurs with Read Quick by controlling any vowel not part of a Combination.  Vowel sounds should be repeated in isolation and in words.  Their instant speech control is essential for reading fluency. 

• Unusual vowel sounds are controlled by their use in the 47 Combinations.

• Twelve (12) prefixes with long vowels that do not follow a long vowel rule are taught to help reader before decoding.  If missed, when vowel marked and pronounced short, student's reading brain will change vowel sound from short to long.  All other prefixes have long vowels that follow vowel rules. This is a critical and accurate decoding strategy for word fluency and comprehension.

• After applying the 3-Steps, prefixes, suffixes, and their vowel sounds are so accurately controlled, mastery generally occurs immediately. 

  47 "Reliable" Combinations replace "Unreliable" syllables for decoding.