Phonological awareness is the ability to notice and work with the sounds in spoken language, and it is an important foundation for reading and spelling. SpeakClearly supports children across Johannesburg North with phonological awareness, language-learning, reading and spelling difficulties, including school-based support where appropriate.
What is phonological awareness?
Phonological awareness is the ability to notice and work with the sound structure of spoken language. It includes skills such as recognising rhyme, breaking words into syllables, identifying sounds in words and blending sounds together.
Signs a child may need support
- Difficulty hearing or identifying sounds within words
- Difficulty blending sounds to make a word
- Persistent trouble with rhyme or syllable awareness
- Reading or spelling difficulties alongside speech or language concerns
- Difficulty following classroom language or learning new vocabulary
How speech-language therapy can help
A speech-language therapist considers both spoken-language and sound-awareness skills. Therapy may target phonological awareness, vocabulary, sentence formulation, verbal comprehension and other language abilities that contribute to classroom learning.
Working with teachers and families
Children often make better use of new skills when therapy connects with classroom and home activities. SpeakClearly’s school-based service includes teacher collaboration and literacy support for phonological awareness, reading and spelling difficulties.
Assessment helps identify the right starting point
Reading or spelling difficulty can have different underlying contributors. Assessment helps clarify whether speech, language or phonological-awareness skills are part of the picture and whether another educational or healthcare professional should also be involved.
SpeakClearly provides school-based speech-language support and explicitly includes phonological awareness, reading and spelling within its educational support services. Meet our clinical team.
Related guides and services
Late talking · Speech & language milestones · Phonological awareness · Auditory memory · Stuttering support
Accessing this service in Johannesburg North
SpeakClearly is based in Jukskei Park and supports families from Fourways, Douglasdale, Lonehill, Bryanston, Sandton, Sunninghill, North Riding, Randburg and nearby Johannesburg North suburbs. Teletherapy is available separately for appropriate goals.
Ready to discuss an assessment?
Contact SpeakClearly to ask about the most appropriate assessment or therapy pathway for your concern.
Clinical standards & professional registration
See SpeakClearly’s professional registration and clinical standards and clinical content standards.