Putting it All Together: Why Understanding Syllable Types Leads to Effective Reading Instruction

When I think back to my own reading instruction, I honestly don’t remember learning much about syllables. Sure, there was some clapping to count beats in words, but the connection between that and how words are formed was never really clear. Most of the time, we just memorized how to spell and pronounce words, often by guessing.

There is definitely a better way.

Teaching students to read and spell through an understanding of syllable types is a far more effective and structured approach to reading instruction. Once learners grasp the six basic syllable patterns, they can begin to decode words more systematically and accurately. This method is especially effective for students with learning differences like dyslexia, as well as for English language learners who benefit from clear, consistent rules.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the six syllable types, and explore what makes each one unique. We’ll also look at why this foundational knowledge is so important for developing strong reading and spelling skills.

To help you along the way, I’ve created a free resource you can download. It is a handy reference guide to the six syllable types that can be used in a classroom, homeschool, or tutoring session.

What is a syllable? 

Syllables are the building blocks of words each one containing a single vowel sound or vowel pattern. When we count syllables, what we’re really doing is counting the number of distinct vowel sounds in a word. A simple way to explain vowels as part of your reading instruction to students is that they are sounds we make with our mouths open, without anything blocking the airflow. Every syllable will always include one of these vowel sounds. However, it’s often more natural for students to think of syllables as the “beats” in a word, something they can hear and feel as they say the word aloud.

The Six Syllable Types & How They Support Effective Reading Instruction

English words are constructed from six primary syllable types: (these six types are summarized concisely in my free printable!)

1. Closed Syllable

• Structure: A single vowel letter (if there are two vowel letters making the sound it is not a closed syllable) followed by one or more consonants, "closing" the syllable. Closed syllables always end in a consonant. 

• Vowel Sound: Short.

• Examples: cat, bed, rabbit, napkin, fantastic. 

*Closed syllables make up about 50% of syllables in the written English language!

2. Open Syllable

• Structure: Ends with a single vowel letter. 

• Vowel Sound: Long (the vowel says its name).

• Examples: me, go, silent, robot, we, she.

3. Magic/Silent E Syllable

• Structure: A single vowel letter followed by a consonant and then a silent 'e'.

• Vowel Sound: Long.

• Examples: make, bike, complete, cube, mice, nose.  

4. R-Controlled Syllable

• Structure: A vowel followed by the letter 'r', which alters the vowel sound.

• Vowel Sound: Neither long nor short; the 'r' controls the vowel.

• Examples: car, bird, corn, fur, tiger, star. 

5. Vowel Team Syllable

• Structure: Two or more vowels that work together to make one sound.

• Vowel Sound: Can be long, short, or a diphthong (slides through more than one sound.)

• Examples: team, bread, coin, cloud, saw.

6. Consonant LE Syllable

• Structure: A consonant followed by 'le', typically at the end of a word.

• Vowel Sound: The 'e' is silent; the syllable sounds like 'ul'.

• Examples: table, little, candle, puzzle, needle.

Why Understanding Syllable Types Improves Literacy

Effective reading instruction starts with a solid understanding of the six basic syllable types. Mastering these patterns supports reading and writing in multiple powerful ways:

• Improved Decoding and Encoding: Understanding syllable types helps break down complex words into manageable parts, making both reading and writing easier to learn and apply.

• Enhanced Spelling: Understanding syllable patterns aids in accurate spelling.

• Increased Reading Fluency: Predicting vowel sounds leads to smoother reading.

• Boosted Confidence: Empowers readers to tackle unfamiliar words independently, and experience success.

By incorporating syllable type instruction into reading practice, learners build stronger phonemic awareness and decoding skills which are both key components of literacy success. A lot of us learned to read tricky words by guessing and memorizing over time. For example, think of the difference between taping and tapping. Teaching students to recognize syllable patterns as part of your reading instruction, gives them a systematic method to understand why words are spelled and pronounced the way they are. This naturally is going to  lead to greater reading confidence and accuracy.

Using my Free Guide to the Six Syllable Types

Don’t forget to download my free guide to the six syllable types. This guide provides a concise overview, perfect for educators and parents aiming to reinforce foundational reading instruction. 

For teachers, this resource is perfect to keep on your desk, display as a poster, or distribute to students as a reference sheet. For parents and students, consider storing it in a binder, duotang, or directly on a study desk for regular review. Whether you're introducing the concept or reinforcing it, this tool is a simple way to support stronger literacy skills.