Compares the phonetically regular orthography of Spanish with the phonetic inconsistencies of English. Reports on the role of phonics in six popular Spanish reading programs. Notes that the regularity of the Spanish language is compatible with the use of systematic phonics for reading instruction. (MM)

Evaluates six major Spanish basal reading programs published since 1980 for Hispanic-American students. Concludes that these translated materials reflect a mechanistic part-to-whole view of reading and ignore current theories of reading as a meaning-seeking process. Contains 39 references and 23 sources of Spanish language materials. (SV)