Basic Phonics Teacher Training – Level 1 (Ages 4–6)
Learn to teach the 42 sounds, blending, segmenting and tricky words to help children aged about 4–6 build early reading and spelling foundations. Live online, about 10 hours, with practical teaching.
Foundation Training for Early Years Educators
Level 1 gives educators a clear method for teaching children aged approximately 4–6 to read and spell using sounds.
Best suited to
- Teachers and early-years educators of children aged about 4–6
- Preschool and daycare educators
- Tutors and learning support professionals
- Home educators and parents
- Aspiring phonics teachers
What you need to start
- No prior phonics teaching experience
- Reliable internet and a quiet place for live sessions
- Willingness to practise, as the course includes practical teaching
Not sure this is the right level?
- If you already teach phonics and work with older children, see Level 2 – Advanced
- Compare both on the level comparison table
- Or talk to us about your background
Basic Phonics Course Content: 10 Modules
Understanding Phonics
What phonics is and how it differs from memorising words; phonemes and graphemes; sound-symbol relationships; why systematic phonics matters.
The 42 Sounds
Sound recognition, production and sound-symbol association; using actions and visual cues; teaching the sounds in a systematic, non-alphabetical order.
Letter Formation
Correct lowercase and uppercase formation, formation sequence, handwriting practice and the common formation errors to watch for.
Blending
Oral blending, sound-by-sound blending and moving from simple to more complex words, for example s + a + t → sat.
Segmenting
Breaking words into sounds for spelling and writing, for example ship → sh + i + p, and how it builds phonemic awareness.
Tricky Words
What makes a word tricky, spotting the irregular part, and teaching tricky words without relying only on memory.
Vowels
Short vowels a, e, i, o, u, and an introduction to long vowels and how pronunciation changes with spelling pattern.
Alternatives
Introducing alternative spellings and pronunciations of the same sound, with word examples, reading and spelling practice.
Spelling Rules
Practical rules that help children see patterns in spelling rather than memorise isolated words.
Practical Teaching
Introducing a sound, demonstrating pronunciation, teaching blending and segmenting, correcting errors, asking effective questions and managing small groups.
Examples You Will Practise
Blending: sounds to word
- s + a + t → sat
- Say each sound, then push them together smoothly
- Move from simple words to longer ones as children gain confidence
Segmenting: word to sounds
- ship → sh + i + p
- Children listen for each sound, then write the letters
- Two letters can stand for one sound, as in sh
Tricky words
- Some words have an irregular part, such as the o in said or one
- You learn to find the tricky part and teach the rest by sounding out
- Reading and spelling practice for each word
You Learn How to Teach It, Not Only What to Teach
Practical teaching is a core part of Level 1, with live demonstrations from the trainer.
You practise
- Introducing a new sound
- Demonstrating clear pronunciation
- Teaching blending and segmenting
- Running reading and spelling activities
You also learn
- Correcting errors without just giving the answer
- Asking effective questions
- Managing small groups
- Using actions, visuals and classroom activities you can use straight away
What You Will Be Able to Do
- Understand core phonics principles and explain them to parents
- Introduce the 42 sounds systematically
- Teach blending and teach segmenting
- Support early reading and early spelling
- Teach basic spelling patterns and tricky words
- Conduct phonics activities with young learners
- Guide children from teacher support to independent reading
How Level 1 Runs
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mode | Live online |
| Duration | Approximately 10 hours, with different time slots available |
| Format | Content teaching, live demonstrations, practical activities and an online practice test |
| Ages you will be prepared to teach | Approximately 4–6 years |
| Trainer | Megha Vyas |
| Certificate | Certificate of Participation |
| Next step | Level 2 – Advanced Phonics for educators supporting older children |
What You Receive, and What the Certificate Means
What you receive
- A Certificate of Participation on completing Level 1
- Course learning guidance and references to recommended phonics books and resources
- Guidance on teaching opportunities: pre-primary schools, activity centres, or starting your own classes
What the certificate is, and is not
- It records that you took part in and completed the training with Jolly Reading
- It is not a Jolly Learning certificate, an accreditation or a government qualification
- Trainer credentials are listed below exactly as documented, with certificates you can view
Jolly Reading is an independent training provider. The Certificate of Participation is Jolly Reading’s own certificate and is not issued by Jolly Learning Ltd. View the trainer’s certificates.
Who You'll Be Trained By
Megha Vyas
Megha Vyas is the founder of Jolly Reading and a passionate literacy educator with over 23 years of experience teaching phonics. She specialises in helping teachers, schools and parents build strong reading foundations through structured phonics instruction.
- Certified in Jolly Phonics & Jolly Grammar through Jolly Phonics CPD College, UK
- Former Air India cabin crew — brings expert pronunciation and phonemic awareness to every session
- Certified Remedial Educator, with hands-on experience supporting children with reading and spelling difficulties
- 2000+ teachers trained across India through structured Jolly Phonics methodology
“To empower learners with the skills, confidence, and proven strategies needed to become successful, lifelong readers.”
Level 1 Teacher Training — FAQs
Who is Level 1 training for? +
Educators teaching phonics to children aged approximately 4 to 6: classroom and kindergarten teachers, preschool educators, tutors, home educators, parents and aspiring phonics teachers.
Do I need prior phonics teaching experience? +
No. Level 1 starts from the foundations.
What will I learn in Level 1? +
The 42 sounds, letter formation, blending, segmenting, tricky words, vowels, alternative spellings, spelling rules and practical teaching, covered in 10 modules.
Is Level 1 live or recorded? +
Live online, with live demonstrations and practical activities, plus an online practice test.
How long is the course? +
Approximately 10 hours, with different time slots available.
Will I get to practise teaching? +
Yes. Practical teaching is a core module: introducing sounds, teaching blending and segmenting, correcting errors and managing small groups.
What do I receive after completing the course? +
A Certificate of Participation from Jolly Reading. It is not a Jolly Learning certificate. The official Jolly Phonics book is not shipped with the course (this keeps fees lower for online students) and can be bought separately online.
Can I teach in a school or start my own classes after Level 1? +
Graduates can teach phonics in pre-primary schools or activity centres, take on full or part-time teaching roles, or start their own phonics classes. Level 1 prepares you for children aged about 4 to 6.
Can parents join Level 1? +
Yes, parents who want to teach their own children with a structured plan are welcome.
What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2? +
Level 1 covers the foundation for ages about 4–6. Level 2 is advanced training for supporting children aged about 7–12. See the comparison table.
Start Your Level 1 Training
Enquire today to secure your place on the next Level 1 phonics teacher training course.
What Level 1 Teachers Say on Google
Reviews from teachers who completed Jolly Reading’s online phonics teacher training with Megha Vyas. These reviews describe the foundation (basic) course.
I had the pleasure of completing the online phonics teacher training program led by Megha Ma'am, and it exceeded all my expectations. Megha Ma'am expertise and passion for teaching are evident throughout the course. The program is meticulously structured and is easy to follow. I highly recommend this program to any educator looking to enhance their phonics teaching abilities.
Recently done basic phonics course from jolly reading by Megha Vyas Mam...it was amazing experience with Mam...she is a fabulous teacher.She taught us every small rule of phonics in such way that we will be able to teach it to kids the way it should be taught..Her guidance and knowledge about phonics is superb.Her innovative teaching techniques helps kids to learn easily even difficult concepts. She had explained each thing in detail..thanks much Jolly reading and Megha mam...
I had my phonics course recently with megha ma'am online class. It very helpful for me in teaching with sound and action for small kids. I truly appreciate Megha ma'am wonderful way of teaching phonics. She use clear pronounciation and friendly techniques that make us to understand blending and segmenting. How are all want to enhance their phonics teaching abilities for them this course is usefull. Thankyou Megha ma'am for teaching phonics teacher training course.
I recently did basic phonics course with Ms. Megha and it was a very enriching session. She is thorough with her knowledge of phonics and English language and explains in a very detailed manner. She is very approachable and we can ask her about doubts any number of times and she explains everytime with the same patience as the first time. Along with being an amazing teacher , she comes across as a very warm and sweet person. It was great to connect with her!
The phonics class is very well connected .Mam explains letter sounds blending and reading skills clearly. I have become more confident in teaching phonics.Thank you mam for your support.
The Jolly Reading Phonics Classes with Megha Vyas Ma’am have been an amazing experience! She explains concepts clearly, makes learning engaging, and ensures every session is interactive. A great class for anyone looking to strengthen their phonics teaching skills.
I recently attended a 5-day online Level 1 phonics class with Jolly reading, and I found it to be a very informative and worthwhile experience. Megha Ma‘am gave clear and detailed explanations of phonics concepts and shared practical strategies for teaching them effectively. Each session was well-organized and easy to follow, she break down each topic in a way that made it simple and accessible. Her teaching style was supportive and engaging.
Megha ma'am is very experienced and knowledgeable. She has taught the topics in detail with a lot of patience. She has managed to address all the queries in a clear manner. I would recommend the course to all those interested in helping their own children or class, read and speak better.
I took basic phonic online classes from Meghaji and I found her class useful and very easy to understand. She was patient during her lessons and was ready to answer all the queries put up to her.
Reviews are shown exactly as written on Google, including spelling and grammar. Hover to pause.