Bermuda for Hooked on Phonics, a learn-to-read aid that is sweeping the United States.

Hooked on Phonics, which is produced by US-based Gateway Educational Products Ltd., helps teach children and adults how to read with the aid of audio cassettes.

The product teaches the sounds of all the letters in the alphabet. With lessons set to music, the company professes that it is a fun way to learn to read.

Mrs. Hunt, who taught at Bermuda's schools for well over a decade, said: "Hooked on Phonics is the No. 1 educational product on the market, which is the reason I went to the trouble of bringing it in. It was brought out in the US to help alleviate illiteracy and it's done a fantastic job.'' Mrs. Hunt said there were a significant number of illiterate adults in Bermuda who could benefit from Hooked on Phonics. "There are a number of adults here who can't spell, read or write,'' she said.

"Sometimes through no fault of their own people did not get the basics of reading and writing. Hooked on Phonics helps fill the gap.'' Hooked on Phonics comprises eight audio cassettes, five reading books and nine decks of colour-coded flash cards.

It is being sold in Bermuda with a product called SRA Reading Power, which is made up of 100 stories followed by exercises to help with comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.

The combined package retails for $290 at Mrs. Hunt's business, Al-Mil Enterprises, at Town Hill, Flatts, which she set up after leaving the schools system.

Al-Mil Enterprises sells educational products to Bermuda's schools and to individual customers. Mrs. Hunt is also a private tutor, teaching English language and mathematics.