How did I learn language?

I was thinking about it and I really can't remember how I learned language. I know that I really wanted to have hooked on phonics when I was a little child. I think that we learned whole language more in school. I remember I could not sound out words in elementary school. I still have problems now when I look at certain words. I think that the tricky sounds in the English language trip me up. I remember never really being able to sound out the words that did not follow a certain pattern. I think that in schools, there should be a mix of both whole language and phonics. The balanced language approach should be done in schools because it helps to have more ways of helping children learn. I am still learning different things about language and I find that it is very interesting. I hope that by learning more I can help the students in my class.