whole language
Americannoun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Phonics instruction gets kids in the door, then whole language comprehension needs to take over.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
But the research has become clear: Looking at the pictures or context of a story to guess a word — as is encouraged in whole language or balanced literacy instruction, leads to struggles with reading.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2025
The whole language game exists to conceal that contradiction.
From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024
Automaticity can occur no matter what system is used: phonics, whole language, balanced reading or watching Sesame Street.
From Scientific American • Sep. 26, 2023
There is a whole language to be learned here.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.