DEVELOPING EARLY READING SKILLS IN EFL LEARNERS THROUGH THE CVC PHONICS APPROACH

Early reading instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) contexts presents specific challenges related to phonological awareness, decoding skills, and sound–letter correspondence. This study explores the effectiveness of a CVC (consonant–vowel–consonant) phonics-based approach in developing early reading skills among preschool and primary school learners. Drawing on a systematic phonics framework, the study focuses on short vowel instruction, blending and segmenting skills, and step-by-step mastery-based learning. The findings indicate that learners exposed to structured CVC phonics instruction demonstrate improved decoding accuracy, increased reading confidence, and reduced confusion between short vowel sounds. The study confirms that CVC-based phonics instruction provides a strong foundation for independent reading development in EFL settings..