Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Fine Motor Skills • Key Stage 2 • Specific Areas

Letters and Sounds

Term from Primary Education industry explained for recruiters

Letters and Sounds is a teaching method used in primary schools to help children learn to read and write. It's a step-by-step approach that teaches children the connection between letters (what they look like) and sounds (what they sound like when spoken). Teachers use this method to build children's reading skills from basic letter recognition to reading full sentences. Some similar approaches include Jolly Phonics and Read Write Inc. These are all called "phonics programs" because they focus on teaching through sounds. This term often appears in job descriptions for early years and primary school teaching positions, especially in roles involving literacy teaching.

Examples in Resumes

Successfully implemented Letters and Sounds program in Reception class, resulting in 95% of students meeting expected reading levels

Delivered daily Letters and Sounds sessions to Year 1 pupils

Created engaging resources to support Letters and Sounds teaching across Key Stage 1

Typical job title: "Primary School Teachers"

Also try searching for:

Early Years Teacher Reception Teacher Key Stage 1 Teacher Literacy Coordinator Phonics Teacher Primary Literacy Specialist Early Reading Teacher

Where to Find Primary School Teachers

Professional Networks

Teaching Resources

• TES Teaching Resources
• Twinkl Education Resources
• Letters and Sounds Government Resources

Professional Organizations

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you lead the implementation of Letters and Sounds across an entire key stage?

Expected Answer: A senior teacher should discuss creating a consistent approach across classes, mentoring other teachers, tracking progress, adapting the program for different abilities, and working with parents.

Q: How do you evaluate the effectiveness of a Letters and Sounds program?

Expected Answer: Should mention assessment methods, tracking systems, identifying struggling students, measuring progress against national standards, and adjusting teaching strategies based on results.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you differentiate Letters and Sounds teaching for different ability levels?

Expected Answer: Should explain how to adapt activities for both struggling and advanced readers, using different resources, and providing appropriate support and challenge.

Q: How do you incorporate Letters and Sounds into other areas of the curriculum?

Expected Answer: Should discuss integrating phonics into different subjects, using cross-curricular opportunities, and making learning relevant and engaging.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the basic principles of Letters and Sounds teaching?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the progression from letter recognition to blending sounds, and describe typical daily phonics sessions.

Q: What resources would you use in a Letters and Sounds lesson?

Expected Answer: Should mention practical materials like flashcards, sound mats, interactive whiteboard activities, and games that support phonics learning.