What key literacy concept is primarily addressed by applying the alphabetic principle?

The alphabetic principle is the understanding that letters and letter combinations represent individual sounds in spoken language. When applying the alphabetic principle, learners are able to decode words by relating sounds to the appropriate letters or groups of letters. This foundational concept is crucial for literacy development, as it enables students to make connections between written and spoken language.

By mastering the alphabetic principle, students gain the ability to read and write effectively, as they can recognize patterns in words and apply their knowledge of letter-sound relationships. This demonstrates why the application of the alphabetic principle directly addresses fundamental literacy skills, serving as a gateway to further reading and writing competencies.