Editing Phonics (section)

===Finland===

Before the beginning of school, usually at the age of 7, most children in [[Finland]] participate in one year of preprimary education. Most children already learn to read before they start school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shanahanonliteracy.com/blog/when-should-reading-instruction-begin|title=When should reading instruction begin, Shanahan on literacy, 2019-10-26}}</ref>

Since letters in [[Finnish language|Finnish]] words almost always represent the same sounds (and almost all sounds are represented by only one letter), most words are orthographically transparent making them comparatively easy to read.

At the primary level, reading and writing difficulties are the second most common reason (after speech disorders) for part-time special education. The most commonly used standardized reading test is the Comprehensive School Reading Test, covering linguistic awareness, "decoding", and reading comprehension.
In the case of minor reading difficulties, the classroom teacher may give remedial instruction to students, whereas a special education teacher will help with more severe or more persistent reading difficulties. If these support measures are inadequate, students may receive enhanced support or be transferred to full-time special education, depending on individual teaching and learning plans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/pirls2016/encyclopedia/countries/finland/students-with-reading-difficulties/|title=Students with reading difficulties|date=2016}}</ref>

In [[Fourth grade|the fourth year of school]], the basic teaching techniques consist of ample practice of "sound-letter correspondence"; breaking down speech into words, syllables, and sounds; word recognition; and spelling at the sound and sentence level; daily reading and writing; and comprehension strategies.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/pirls2016/encyclopedia/countries/finland/languagereading-curriculum-in-the-fourth-grade/ |title= PIRLS 2016, Language/Reading Curriculum in the Fourth Grade, Finland}}</ref>

In 2016, amongst 50 countries, Finland ranked 5th in reading achievement for students in their fourth year of school according to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/pirls2016/international-results/pirls/student-achievement/pirls-achievement-results/ |title=Distribution of Reading Achievement, exhibit 1.1, PIRLS 2016}}</ref>