perhaps it would be best to teach the oral part when someone is a child, then when they're older and can appreciate things such as grammar theory, the spelling and structure of sentences.

One of the first things I tried to make note of when studying french was how the letter combinations worked to make sounds. I guess this is similar to studying phonics in first grade, so maybe it could be done earlier if approached in the same fashion. But then I don't think many of my peers enjoy the aspects of learning to spell etc.