Why are nonsense words or syllables used during the Vowel Intensive?

Nonsense words or syllables are used during the Vowel Intensive primarily to develop phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness involves recognizing and manipulating the individual sounds (phonemes) in words, which is a fundamental skill for reading. By using nonsense words, educators can focus on the sounds themselves without the influence of existing vocabulary, allowing students to practice blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds in a controlled and focused manner. This practice helps learners become adept at recognizing how sounds function, which is crucial for developing reading and decoding skills.

The use of nonsense words serves to isolate phonemic elements without the interference of semantic understanding, reinforcing the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters in various contexts. This method solidifies the connection between phonemes and graphemes, which is essential for reading proficiency.