My boys are just finishing learning their French phonics.  In addition to learning the letter and dipthong sounds, they have to learn when letters are silent.  So they are getting there when it comes to reading "ils vont" for instance, in realising that the "s" in ils is silent.  When, therefore do you introduce the concept of linking words, such as in "ils ont", where the "s" instead of being silent is pronounced?  My instinct is to let the boys learn the silent letters first, and to introduce the links later.  Is this the right approach?