Child-Friendly English Text Based on English Research: “Giant Step!”
In our language, there are frequently used words that appear commonly in sentences. These words need to be automatically recognized at a glance and are referred to as sight words. American elementary English education places significant emphasis on sight words. In 1936, Dr. E. W. Dolch, a researcher from the University of Illinois, compiled a list of sight words extracted from children’s books for teaching in American elementary schools. This list is known as Dolch Sight Words.
To master these fundamental words, students are trained using flashcards to visually recognize them instantly. This method is an essential English teaching technique widely practiced in many English-speaking countries. We have gathered 1,000 everyday words relevant to modern children and created an original text, “Giant Step!” designed to learn these words alongside basic English structures. This text reinforces Dolch Sight Words.
Five Features of Giant Step
It’s not just about memorizing with flashcards; the multisensory approach allows students to learn like they do in their native language.
1. Recognize words as chunks
2. Practice reading aloud with an English instructor (pronunciation)
3. Understand meanings through pictures without using the native language (recognition)
4. See, hear, and use words in different contexts (comprehension)
5. Achieve solid understanding through repetition (retention)
The Amazing Effects of Flashcards!
Native speakers of English tend to speak very quickly, making it difficult for language learners to understand at a normal speed. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the learner’s English skills are low. In fact, the quality and difficulty of English taught in non-English-speaking countries can be quite high, with substantial learning requirements. This level of training is often sufficient for building a strong foundation in English. However, without training to instantly recognize sight words, learners may take longer to comprehend meanings through their native language. By using flashcards to repeatedly learn sight words from a young age, students can quickly recognize meanings without relying on their native language, enabling them to understand English instantly during conversations.
Proven Success in English Education in the Philippines
The Philippines is one of the most successful countries in English education. Children start learning English at home from their parents around the ages of 1 or 2, and formal English education begins when they enter kindergarten. During this process, Filipinos are taught sight words. At home, mothers use flashcards available in bookstores to teach English. Once they enter kindergarten at age 4, they receive dedicated training in sight words. As a result, Filipinos recognize the meanings of English words instantly in their brains, rather than reading each word and translating it into their native language. They can easily understand spoken English at normal speeds, including conversations, television, music, and news. Thus, the effectiveness of learning sight words through flashcards has been well established in the Philippines.
By signing up for a trial lesson, you will have access to all of our original materials through the booking system. The instructor will also share commercially available texts during the lesson.
Oxford University Press “Let’s Go! Series”
There are many English conversation textbooks for children published worldwide, and the “Let’s Go! Series” is one of the most popular among them. Choosing a primary textbook as the foundation for English learning is essential for a structured and efficient approach. While children’s textbooks often include many illustrations to keep them engaged, too many pictures can distract children and reduce the effectiveness of their learning. In this regard, the “Let’s Go! Series” is a well-balanced choice. Each unit covers essential content in various formats, and using a workbook for additional practice
Maximize Learning with Vocabulary, Games, Flashcards, Videos, and Audio
In the fifth edition of the “Let’s Go!” series, Oxford University Press provides vocabulary materials, games, flashcards, videos, and audio files for each unit. At Dolch English Academy, we have integrated all of these resources into our online lessons. We utilize them in every lesson to maximize the effectiveness of the textbook.
العربية 
English