#9 How to Improve Your Spelling: Techniques That Work

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For an adult, not possessing the necessary spelling skills to function successfully at work or in general life can create distress. The good news is that there are answers to the question of how to improve your spelling. Good spelling practice and knowledge also starts early in life. If we give our children this knowledge, we can provide them with the best of advantages. The following techniques offer ways to improve spelling.

Technique 1: Spelling a Word That is Unknown

To spell a word that you do not know, first consider its meaning. There might be parts of it that you are familiar with. Break the word into syllables and see if this helps. Perhaps you are familiar with a similar word that you can use. Start spelling the word using the foundation word (DOE Tasmania, 2007).

Technique 2: Spelling: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check

How to develop your spelling and learn a new word might involve your first looking and familiarising yourself with the word. Next, say the word; then hide the word from view; and say the word as you are writing it (DOE Tasmania, 2007). Finally, check to see if the word is correct.

Technique 3: Patterns

Get learners to search for patterns in words, such as recognisable consonants or vowel groupings, suffixes, or prefixes (Angelisi, 2000).

Technique 4: Recognizing Phonemics

Recognizing phonemics or sounding out the syllables in a word can help learners to spell better. A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound of an alphabetic language. For example, "may" has 2 phonemes, /m/ /ay/; "sit" has 3 phonemes, /s/ /i/ /t/, "tax" has 4 phonemes, /t/ /a/ /k/ /s/. Phonemic awareness (PA) is the ability to distinguish our speech sounds (National Institute for Literacy, 2007).

In a study of third graders conducted by Angelisi (2000), it was found that learning to spell via the rote learning method of instruction caused frustration and anxiety, whereas recognising phonemics and word identification increased concentration levels, improved motivation, and increased confidence.

Technique 5: Word Identification

Word identification involves the learner's breaking words into smaller more identifiable words.

Technique 6: Computer-assisted, Interactive Learning

Another method of improving your or your child’s spelling skills is to use computer-assisted learning. For example, Ultimate Vocabulary’s Ultimate Spelling product is software that accelerates learning and makes it fun for your child. The software has a 142,647-word dictionary and thesaurus. High-quality audio pronunciations also assist correct pronunciation and aid spelling.

For many, how to improve your spelling and vocabulary is a basic concern that affects our daily lives. The good news is that there are various techniques we can equip ourselves with to achieve success in this part of our life.

References

Angelisi, MA, Teaching Spelling: Which Strategies Work Best (2000).

Department of Education, Tasmania, English Learning Area – Especially for Teachers – About English: Spelling Strategies (2007) (viewed 4 February 2009).

National Institute for Literacy, Print Skills (Alphabetics) – Phonemics (2007) (viewed 4 February 2009).