Synthetic Phonics - Systematic Phonics

Systematic Phonics is not one specific method of teaching phonics; rather, it is a family of phonics instruction that includes the methods of both Synthetic Phonics and Analytical Phonics. They are "systematic" because the letters, and the sounds they relate to, are taught in a specific sequence; as opposed to incidentally or on a 'when-needed' basis. However, it should be noted that, in most instances, the term systematic phonics appears to refer to synthetic phonics because of the specific instruction methods it uses.. (In the United Kingdom, the term systematic phonics is "generally understood as synthetic phonics" according to the reading review which was conducted in 2006.)

Systematic Phonics does not include methods such as embedded phonics and phonics mini lessons which are found in the Whole Language approach and the Balanced Literacy approach.