# PBPhonics 1 to 3 — Practice Your Phonics

> English phonics practice app for literacy development with adaptive learning. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Horton.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-3/id448032923 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Horton](https://appshunter.io/developer/381724640)
- Category: Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 3.30/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 41 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2011-07-11
- Data updated: 2026-06-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-3/id448032923/reviews.md

## What is PBPhonics 1 to 3?

PBPhonics is for adults and young adults studying basic English literacy, including those learning English as a second language.  It offers students the opportunity to:

1. Hear the phonemes that make up a word
2. Hear those phonemes run together to make the word
3. Hear the whole word
4. Record themselves speaking the word and compare their recording with PBPhonics
5. Take tests matching word sounds to their written form

Instruction is provided through animated gestures, with no dependence on written or spoken instructions.  The vocabulary and test complexity start simply and automatically adapt as the student passes tests and gains confidence.  Teachers may also choose appropriate levels and review student progress on the ⓘ screen.

PBPhonics 1 to 3 contains 18 phonemes in 3 sets (S,A,T,I,P,N; CK,E,H,R,M,D; and G,O,U,L,F,B). These are used to build 278 words.  Some words have pictures and others have spoken sentences to provide context.  The words and phonemes have an Australian accent, and have been recorded with multiple voices for variety.  Teachers may replace word and phoneme sounds with their own recordings.

When students have mastered all 18 phonemes, they may move to PBPhonics 1 to 7.  This more than doubles the material, for a total of 42 phonemes and 619 words.  PBPhonics 1 to 7 is a separate app; PBPhonics 1 to 3 does not ask for any In-App Purchases.

## Key features

- Hear and blend phonemes
- Record and compare pronunciation
- Visual instruction with animated gestures
- Adaptive vocabulary and test complexity
- Teacher progress review
- Australian accent pronunciation

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-3/id448032923/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Helpful for esl

*2025-05-11*

But only on Apple. All students have Samsung.

### 2/5 — Could be great

*2024-12-02*

Seemed like a great idea but the pronunciation is clearly non-native the “a” was slight proof but the “i” was more obvious proof. Sounds like typical non-native “ee” but shortened. I’ve trained over a hundred native and non native trainers, I’m sure

### 1/5 — It's broken

*2015-02-28*

This app crashes as it opens. It is totally useless.

### 1/5 — Didn't like

*2012-11-12*

Sounds in isolation did not match their production at word level. 

I also didn't like that the individual sounds were produced with the schwa after it - this makes it confusing for children as they tend to put the schwa in the word. For example- sound "t" produced in isolation "tuh". Put in word "tap" becomes "tuh-ap". Sounds in isolation should be strictly the sound -no schwa. 

I like the idea and activities.

### 4/5 — G'day and こんにちは！

*2012-10-06*

Wow. This is the first English phonics and latin-alphabet (a-z) app, of the dozen or so I've tried, to consistently use the standard handwritten lower-case 'a' (script a, i.e. like an 'o' with a vertical bar on the right-hand-side) rather than the typographic ("two-storey") version thereof in the user-interface.  It's also the first of those that I've tried, to use multiple (I've counted at least four) speakers rather than the usual single voice.  Finally, non-American-English AND with a bit of bonus Aussie twang.  Cultural diversity, what's the world coming to?

Nice work, and thanks... great app. :)

## Frequently asked questions about PBPhonics 1 to 3

### What is PBPhonics 1 to 3?

PBPhonics 1 to 3 is a free educational app designed to help adults and young adults practice basic English phonics. It focuses on auditory learning and pronunciation practice through interactive exercises.

### How does PBPhonics 1 to 3 teach phonics?

It teaches phonics by having users hear individual phonemes, blend them to form words, and then hear the complete word. Instruction is delivered through animated gestures, making it accessible without written or spoken directions.

### Can I track my progress with PBPhonics 1 to 3?

Yes, teachers can review student progress on the 'i' screen. The app also automatically adapts vocabulary and test complexity based on the student's performance and confidence.

### What age rating does PBPhonics 1 to 3 have?

PBPhonics 1 to 3 has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of learners.

### Does PBPhonics 1 to 3 have ads?

No, PBPhonics 1 to 3 does not contain advertisements.

### What devices is PBPhonics 1 to 3 available on?

PBPhonics 1 to 3 is supported on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is PBPhonics 1 to 3 updated?

The latest version, 2.4, was released on September 18, 2023. Updates are released periodically to improve the app.

### What is the user sentiment for PBPhonics 1 to 3?

Based on available data, PBPhonics 1 to 3 has a rating of 3.3 stars from 3 ratings.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2023-09-18

- iPhones were playing sounds as though the iPhone were being used as a phone and held up to the user's ear. Fixed so sounds play at normal speaker volume on iPhones.
- Sounds will play through external speakers, if connected.
- Improved compatibility with more recent iOS versions.

### 2.3 — 2021-04-15

- Edited audio for better clarity
- Better fit on screens with curved corners
- Application launch is more stable

### 2.2 — 2020-04-18

- Improved stability on iOS 13.

### 2.1 — 2017-01-06

- Improved feedback when completing a test unlocks more words.
- Makes full use of all iPad, iPhone and iPod touch screen sizes.
- Improved use of landscape orientation on iPad.
- Allows Split View on supporting iPads.
- Can switch to landscape on iPhone and iPod touch.

### 2.0 — 2014-11-18

- Adds speech practice: say a word, then hear it played back in sequence with the PBPhonics recordings.
(On the first launch after installing this update, PBPhonics will request permission to use the microphone.)
- Screens have more contrast and more space between buttons.
- Updated for iOS 8.
- Updated for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus screen sizes.

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## More apps by Michael Horton

- [PBPhonics 1 to 7](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pbphonics-1-to-7/id452680758)
- [StepScape](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepscape/id1532868047)

All apps by Michael Horton: https://appshunter.io/developer/381724640

## Related topics

[pbphonics 1 to 3](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pbphonics-1-to-3) · [cowirrie](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cowirrie) · [the phonetics 3d](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-phonetics-3d) · [pbphonics 1 to 7](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pbphonics-1-to-7)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-05.*