| a method of teaching children to read by using material chosen by the students integrated with writing and communication activities, emphasizing the use and recognition of words in everyday contexts. |
| whole language n. A method of teaching children to read by emphasizing the use and recognition of words in everyday contexts and books that are not textbooks. whole'-lan'guage (hōl'lāng'gwĭj) adj. |
| Main Entry: | whole language |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a philosophy of reading and writing instruction that emphasizes interpreting meaning from the context of everyday literature |
| Example: | Whole language is considered the opposite of the phonics method. |
| Etymology: | 1984-89 |
| Usage: | whole-language, adj |