So, it all makes sense, but by this theory, it seems like the english words "through" and "tough" and "benign" should be really hard to learn, compared to "true" and "stuff" and wine". Also, English ought to be harder to learn to read than, say, German or Spanish. But I don't know of any evidence that English-speaking countries have lower literacy than Spanish- or German-speaking countries.
I don't mean that phonics isn't useful, but the idea that having multiple strategies can kill your ability to read sounds fishy.
I don't mean that phonics isn't useful, but the idea that having multiple strategies can kill your ability to read sounds fishy.