What are the two main components of the Simple View of Reading?

The Simple View of Reading outlines reading as a product of two primary components: decoding and language comprehension. Decoding refers to the ability to translate printed text into spoken words, which involves phonetic skills, letter recognition, and the ability to blend sounds to form words. Language comprehension, on the other hand, encompasses the understanding of spoken language, which includes the ability to interpret vocabulary, sentences, and text structures.

Both components are essential for effective reading; a student may be able to read words aloud but still struggle to grasp the meaning of what they are reading if their language comprehension skills are weak. Conversely, a child with strong comprehension skills but poor decoding abilities will find it challenging to engage with written content. This framework emphasizes the importance of both skill sets in developing proficient reading abilities.