Being able to connect speech sounds with the printed letters they represent is a description of what concept?

The ability to connect speech sounds with the printed letters they represent is described by the concept of phonics. Phonics is a foundational reading skill that involves understanding the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding letters or groups of letters (graphemes). This skill is critical for developing reading proficiency, as it helps learners decode new words by sounding them out. Mastering phonics enables students to recognize words more easily and expressively, laying the groundwork for effective reading and literacy overall. In contrast, vocabulary relates to the words a person knows, comprehension involves understanding and interpreting meaning from text, and fluency refers to the ability to read smoothly and accurately. These concepts, while important in reading, do not specifically address the linkage between sounds and letters that defines phonics.