What are the three levels into which spoken language is broken down?

The correct response identifies three distinct levels of spoken language: word level, syllable level, and phoneme level.

At the word level, language is analyzed based on complete units of meaning. This is essential for understanding vocabulary and how words function within communication.

The syllable level focuses on the structure of words in terms of their syllabic components, critical for phonological awareness. Recognizing syllables can help children with spelling and reading since it breaks words down into manageable parts.

At the phoneme level, the analysis goes even deeper, as it examines the smallest units of sound within spoken language. Phonemic awareness is fundamental for literacy development, as it lays the groundwork for understanding the relationship between letters and sounds when children begin to read.

This framework is crucial for early literacy instructors because it provides a clear path for teaching children how to decode and encode spoken language, which is a foundational skill in their reading and writing development.