I'm Andrew Winkler, and in this episode of Now I Get It, I dive into one of the most overlooked causes of low literacy: the surprising complexity behind how we learn to read. We explore why simply recognizing words isn't enough—and why relying on context clues or outdated teaching strategies can leave learners guessing. I also explain how our brains process sounds and why phonemic awareness (though often misunderstood) is key to unlocking fluent reading.

We unpack the real science behind reading—what happens when we go from sounds to syllables, and syllables to meaning—and how that process is shaped by language history, pronunciation quirks, and the hidden structure of English. I break down practical strategies to boost reading skills, including why teaching sound combinations is easier (and more powerful) than you think. Whether you're an educator, parent, or lifelong learner, this episode will shift how you think about literacy.

In this episode, you will learn:

• (01:05) - Why the cost of learning to read isn’t just financial—it’s about time, access, and attention
• (03:50) - The original meaning of the word bead—and how language evolves through misunderstanding
• (05:45) - What “phonemic awareness” actually is—and why the term itself is misleading
• (08:30) - The difference between phonemes and allophones (and why it matters when learning to read)
• (10:40) - How simple sound combinations like p + ay = pay can build reading fluency
• (13:00) - Why English spelling feels so broken—and how phonemic skills help overcome it
• (16:30) - A full walkthrough of English consonant sounds, from lips to throat
• (22:00) - How dialects and simplification shape language—and what that means for teaching literacy today

Let’s connect!

linktr.ee/drprandy

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