Teaching oral languages before learning sounds and the alphabet is known as what?

The practice of teaching oral languages before introducing sounds and the alphabet is referred to as "Natural order." This approach emphasizes the importance of communication and language development in a natural, meaningful context, allowing learners to gain proficiency in spoken language before they encounter written forms.

This method aligns with the understanding that children first learn to communicate verbally through listening and speaking in their everyday environments. By fostering oral language skills, students build a foundation for phonemic awareness and literacy skills, making the transition to reading and writing more effective.

While the other terms like structured order or sequential order might suggest a systematic approach to instruction, they don't capture the fundamental philosophy behind the natural order approach, which prioritizes organic language development over more mechanical or rigid forms of teaching literacy.