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Phonics lessons are 'almost abuse', says academic

28 January 2014 Last updated at 13:09 GMT

Teaching children to read using phonics has been described by an academic as "almost a form of abuse".

Phonics requires children to blend common sounds into words.

But Durham University research fellow, Andrew Davis, told BBC Radio 5 live's Breakfast it could put off children who enjoy "reading for meaning".

The Department for Education insists synthetic phonics is the best way to teach reading.