Improve Your Spelling A Free Spelling Improvement Course by Ultimate Spelling Software

I have a spelling checker

It came with my PC It plainly marks for my revue

Mistakes I cannot sea

I’ve run this poem threw it I’m sure your please to no,

It’s letter perfect in it’s weigh My checker tolled me sew

Anonymous (ETNI, 1997)

It is not every day that you see a poem about spelling, let alone one that is as funny as the one above but this poem is very useful to help our understanding of a linguistic issue that exists today. It highlights a major problem that adults and children alike experience on a daily basis – the problem of spelling.

In recent years there seems to have been a distinct reduction of the focus on teaching spelling in English lessons because, according to Taylor and Martlew, the focus has fallen on introducing and encouraging reading instead (p. 168). As a result, children are leaving

school with poor spelling that has never been corrected. That continues into life as an adult and can cause problems when it comes to preparing documents for work, applying for jobs or even just writing a letter. As children, we take it for granted that we do not need to learn how to spell everything because we have the technology to help us. The poem proves that theory wrong.

The poem is based on the idea of the spell checker on a PC being relied upon to help someone who cannot spell to complete it. As you can see when you look closely, not only are the words spelt differently to how they would be if they were used correctly, but the use

of the wrong words has changed the meaning of the poem completely. If nothing else, the poem highlights just how important it is to learn to spell without relying on technology to correct you.

Whether you are an adult or a child, there are ways and means of helping you to improve your spelling and it is never too late to find strategies that can teach you the basics of spelling. Good spelling practice does begin in children at school but if you have not had the right teacher or have not been given the knowledge then the only way to get it is to help

yourself and that is not as difficult as it might sound.

The purpose of this course is to provide anyone needing a spelling boost with the tools to improve it in no time at all. There are a number of strategies that you can use to improve your spelling, for example. Most of these strategies are difficult to find information on outside of educational textbooks and so may not be readily accessible to adults and children that are looking for a way to help improve their spelling. However, all the information you

need about seven of the strategies available to improve spelling can be found right here so you do not need to look any further. Each strategy is easy to understand and use, and at least one of them will suit you. After all, everyone learns differently and so not all strategies will suit you (Easton, 2007, p. 18). Whether you learn in a creative way or via a basic

technique, you can choose the best one to suit you from the following:

Visual Memory Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge

Morphemic Word Knowledge Computer Aided Spelling Word Identification Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check

Pattern Spelling

These strategies have all been proven to work time and again and so can be trusted. With a little hard work and effort, you could make these strategies work for you so read on to find out what they do and how to use them to improve your spelling.

VISUAL MEMORY

According to Powell and Hornsby, Visual Memory is one of the most successful spelling strategies out there because writers can build up a memory of spelling patterns and so can memorise how to spell a word by getting a picture of that word in their heads (1993, p. 29). This is not only very successful but also very popular because it can help adults and children

to get a handle on spelling in their own way.

There has been a lot written on the Visual Memory strategy by teachers, academics and researchers in the past because it is so common but the information can be a little confusing

because there is so much of it and some of it seems to contradict the rest. As such, this lesson will look at the Visual Memory spelling improvement strategy, explain what it is, why it works and offer potential exercises that could help you to use the strategy for your own benefit.

About

There is no one way to use this particular spelling improvement strategy because it is a very broad option that can include any visual signals that you find help you to improve your spelling. For example, it is a common technique used when teaching children to spell during their kindergarten years. Do you remember Flash cards or picture cards that looked like the following?

They are prime examples of Visual Memory techniques that can be used to help children form mental pictures of simple words by making sure that the memory can easily recall the correct spellings (Kumar, 2006, p. 137). Of course, this is a great method for children

because it puts a picture to the word and helps them to remember exactly what the card says. However, as children get older, using these visual stimulants do not always work because words become more complicated. The chances are that an adult can spell “black cat” but he or she might not be able to spell other words that are an essential part of his or her vocabulary.

For the reasons outlined above, different Visual Memory techniques have to be used for adults because simple Flash cards are not enough. Visual techniques are still effective but many adults that have used this spelling improvement strategy use very different visual cues and techniques: “Although they know that sounding out the word won’t help them, they often feel that if they write the word out how they think it may be spelled, they will be

able to judge whether it’s correct or not by looking at it. They are, therefore, relying on their visual memory.” (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, p. 28). Writing down words and then trying to remember how they have been pictured in newspapers, on websites and in books is just as much a visual strategy as using picture cards when you are a child.

Although this section has only covered two of the many techniques that could be used in the Visual Memory strategy, you should get the picture (pardon the pun!). Adults and children learn to spell through their visual memory in similar ways despite the fact that there are

differences in the visual cues used. There are many ways to use this particular strategy but first of all you have to know why it works and whether or not it is suitable for you.

Why It Works

The Visual Memory strategy for improving spelling works because it helps those who struggle with spelling to bypass the process of ordering letters consciously and instead focus on another visual cue to jog the memory and make the process of spelling more

subconscious. After all, adults generally know when words look incorrect and can recall how they look when written properly. Children can figure out how to spell using pictures and other similar visual tools because the images are easier to recall. This might sound a little complicated but it is all about how the brain and the memory works.

Jackman states that: “All memory can be dramatically assisted if the information to memorise is organised and categorised in a meaningful way. For young children, without significant experience of the printed work, such help is vitally important.” (2002, p. 16). In

plain language without the jargon, this basically means that the brain organises information in a certain way, allowing you to draw on images and visual cues every time you need them.

In the case of spelling, this technique actually gives you a point of association so that you can remember how to spell words without even thinking about them. For example, as soon as she hears the word “cat”, a girl of four years old will immediately think of the picture card and will then be able to spell the word. A man of thirty five years old may be able to recall how words like diarrhoea and Ayatollah appeared in the newspaper and then be able

to spell the word (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, pp. 27-28).

No matter what visual cues you choose to use, the mental process you go through is the same. You store the image of a word that is presented to you, whether it is paired with

another image or not, and then can call upon it when you need to use it. The more practice you get with this strategy the more subconscious the process becomes until you begin to improve your spelling without even thinking about it (Goulandris, 1992, p. 154).

Exercises and Ideas

There are numerous exercises and ideas you can practice to improve your spelling via the Visual Memory strategy. Depending on how old you are and what your spelling needs are, you may want to try some of the exercises that are outlined below. All of them can be used in addition to or instead of the newspaper and picture card techniques as already mentioned in this chapter.

Use post it notes to write out words you are having a little trouble with ad place them around your home. You will then be able to test yourself on your spelling by remembering where the post it is and what word is written on it. This is not ideal for children but is perfect for adults

Compose rhymes consisting of the letters of words you are having difficulty with and write them down. For example, NECESSARY could be Never Eat Cereal Every Sunday Sausages Are Really Yummy! Write the rhymes down and you will be able to visualise them in the future. This is suitable for both adults and children.

Use Scrabble letters to spell out words. Playing such popular and yet simple games can really help to boost your memory because you will be able to see the letters on the board the next time you have difficulty with individual words.

You can improve your Visual Memory spelling by using a map. This may sound a little strange but it really does help with the Visual Memory strategy for improving spelling. If you know where all the states in America are located you can use that map or alternatively you can use a world map. Spell out words using combinations of countries or states and point to them as you spell. For example, ARITHMETIC can be America Russia Ireland Turkey Honduras Mexico Egypt Tunisia Iran Canada. Or Alaska Rhode Island Texas Hawaii MainE Tennessee Idaho California. It is a little complex but is ideal for helping children to learn geography and spelling in a fun and engaging way. Adults can use this technique too if their geographical knowledge is good.

In a similar technique to the map, it may be a good idea to engage your children in various other disciplines to encourage their use of the Visual Memory technique. It is possible to use building blocks, toy cars, teddy bears and any other favourite toys to spell out words. With the latter, think YMCA. Encourage the use of the arms to spell out words before getting the children to write the words down. With building blocks, it is possible to build the words up too. Either way, you will find the words easy to visualise and remember.

These exercises are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. There are many different ways that you could actively improve your spelling via the Visual Memory strategy. These ideas might inspire unique ways to improve your spelling or you can use them as they are. Either way is acceptable providing that you find a way to improve your spelling that works for you.

Just remember the rules to any Visual Memory game, exercise or idea:

Make sure that you can picture it in your mind’s eye after the event Keep it simple because overcomplicating the techniques will serve to confuse you

even more Use your hobbies to make spelling fun and not a chore Do whatever works for you and do not be afraid to change your Visual Memory

techniques if you find a better way of learning to spell effectively.

GRAMOPHONIC OR SOUND SYMBOL

KNOWLEDGE

The previous lesson dealt with visual cues that can help to improve spelling but using such images and pictures are not always the most effective methods of learning how to spell. Some people just cannot work with visual spelling or literacy and prefer to work with

sounds. If you are one of those people then this particular strategy may be for you. Sound Symbol Knowledge, or Graphophonic Knowledge, is an effective strategy that involves writers listening “…to the sounds in word and then [they] write down letters for those sounds.” (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, p. 29).

We all know that listening to words and then trying to spell them does not always work. There are always words that sound different when they are spoken to how they look when written on paper. Silent letters can be confusing and variations in letter sound can be annoying but for the most part Sound Symbol Knowledge actually works. All you have to do

is listen and spell, it really is that simple. Before you do though, you might like to know a little bit more about the strategy and just how effective it can be.

About

The Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge spelling improvement strategy focuses specifically on the way that words sound. Saying the word out loud and then writing it

down, even if the initial spelling of it is incorrect, can actually help people of all ages to learn how the way words sound corresponds with how they translate onto paper. It is all about listening and identifying new and familiar sounds. Eventually, children and adults alike become used to many of the different sounds by dividing words up into them. Take, as a simple example, the difference between read and red. There is only one letter in it but the difference in the sound of each word is distinct and easily identifiable. When any individual can identify not only the difference but why there is a difference as a result of the way a word is spelled, spelling will become easier and less of a chore (Robbins & Kenny, 2007, p. 17).

This spelling improvement strategy can be used in just as many ways as the Visual Memory strategy can because there are just as many exercises used by adults and children alike to pick up word recognition and Sound Symbol Knowledge. For example, Angelisi points out that one of the most common techniques used for teaching this strategy is syllable tapping for primary school children. She provides a real world example of how it works:

As she teaches basic monosyllable and more challenging multi-syllable words to her first grade class, she encourages them to listen for the syllables and clap their hands or tap their desks for every syllable they hear. Her students learn to rely upon their senses in helping

them sound out the syllables of words, which, in turn, will, eventually, aid them in learning how to spell words better. (2000, p. 5)

Syllable tapping is an easy technique that is favoured by teachers all over the world.

Speaking in time with the tapping to identify the syllables also identifies the distinctly different sounds in each word. A little practice for each word will go a long way to helping identify and build Sound Symbol Knowledge, especially if there is a written worksheet being used in addition to the sounds being spoken. You can follow the worksheet while tapping out

the syllables and literally break down the individual words. Of course, this might not be a preferred method of using the Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge strategy to improve spelling knowledge, especially not for adults because it may seem a little degrading. There are other methods that can be used to improve adult spelling though.

For example, Sound Symbol Knowledge for adults may take the form of sounding out words and then copying them onto paper how they sound (Savage, 2004, p. 141) without the extra syllable tapping. Adults will then tend to look up words in a dictionary or online to see how they should be spelt. This can be a frustrating process because it takes quite a while

and spelling the same sounds incorrectly over and over again may make it appear that you are getting nowhere. However, adults can then compare how the word sounds and how it is actually supposed to look, taking note of how different sounds should look on paper. For example, diarrhoea should be diarea if the spelling is faithful to the sound but by breaking

down the actual spelling and saying it aloud, it is easy to remember how it should appear. [Dia] is an obvious sound that you may be used to as a result of its use in other words, like diabolical or diameter. [ea] is also a familiar sound as it appears in ear and hear. It can also be broken down into two distinct letter sounds. However, [rrho] does not resemble any

sound in the word diarrhoea as it is said. As a result, it is up to you to formulate a sound that helps you to remember the correct spelling of the word.

As you can see, there is a lot to the Sound Symbol Knowledge strategy that can be used to help you to improve your spelling. There is no one set way to use the strategy to your own advantage because there are so many techniques that come under the same heading. You have to find one that works for you but you should never underestimate the power of sound when it comes to improving your spelling.

Why It Works

The Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge spelling improvement strategy works for a number of reasons. Many of those reasons are very simple to understand and bypass the

reasons most people offer as to why they struggle to learn how to spell. The first is that the visual memory cannot always be relied upon to give an accurate picture of how a word should look, particularly if the word you want to learn to spell is uncommon or rarely used in books and newspapers. Take Ayatollah for example. It is very rarely written in any form of

media and “…the less well known a word the less the speller can rely on visual memory (the lexical route) and the more he or she has to rely on generating the spelling using phonology and sound-spelling correspondences.” (Sterling & Robson, 1992, p. 182). As such, you do not have to rely upon visual memories if you rely on the sound of a word instead. Breaking

down such a word into the sounds and symbols that you are used to will help you to remember how to spell it without picturing it.

The Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge strategy also avoids the main problem that

many people face when trying to use the Visual Memory strategy- it does not rely on an individual’s ability to read (National Institute for Literacy, 2010). Many people who struggle with reading cannot visualise words or necessarily get to grips with how words should look and so would not be able to spell if they used the Visual Memory technique. However, by using Sound Symbol Knowledge, it is possible to examine a word section by section,

listening to the individual sounds and then writing them down (McShane, 2005, p. 33). The spoken patterns in the words are around us all the time, whether on the TV, in films or even on the radio so it is easier to absorb them if you struggle to read. Think of Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie saying a word rather than how James Patterson or J K Rowling writes them.

Poor readers are more likely to remember the former than the latter initially but building a foundation of Sound Symbol Knowledge can actually also help those that struggle with reading to improve their skills in that area too.

Of course, there are points that should be made if you want to use Sound Symbol Knowledge to improve your spelling. For example, it is necessary to make sure that you learn all of the rules before you start to use Sound Symbol or Graphophonic Knowledge because otherwise the technique might not be as successful for you as it would be

otherwise. Knowing the rules like “I before E except after C” is essential to avoid making mistakes (Schmitt, 2000, p. 122).

Above all else though, Sound Symbol Knowledge works as a strategy to improve spelling because your ability to speak will not fail you, even if your memory does. Simply saying a

word out loud will give you the power to recognise the sound and write it down.

Exercises and Ideas

There are numerous exercises and ideas that can help you to improve your spelling via Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge, many of which are creative and will appeal to a

wide range of people. The two given examples, syllable tapping and comparing how words look and sound, may sound pretty boring, even if they are effective but there are plenty of ways to spice up your Sound Symbol Knowledge and use it to improve your spelling. Some examples can be found below:

“Rhythm and intonation are very useful and you might even be able to pick up the rhythms of raps, sports supporters’ chants or jingles which the children are familiar with.” (Bearne, 1998, p. 229). Bearne’s suggestion is another way of performing the

syllable tapping exercise but one that is more acceptable to adults and more fun for children. Using rap, songs and jingles can make learning sound symbols that bit more memorable as well so it is a technique that should definitely be used to learn how to spell certain words.

Although similar to the suggestion above, choose a favourite TV show and identify the words that you do not understand on the first run through. Write the words down after watching the scene several times, paying particular attention to how each syllable sounds. Again, this is no different to saying the words aloud yourself but it does make the whole process of learning that little bit more fun.

You could use some word exercises if you feel comfortable with doing so. For example, if you are having trouble spelling then you could elongate each sound in a word. This is similar to saying each sound separately but it allows you to hear the entire sound pattern within the word so that you do not have to break up the word to

hear the sound symbols there. There are many resources that you can take advantage of to improve your spelling

through the strategy of Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge. There are audio tools like CDs and MP3 files that can give your auditory spelling a boost. These are

ideal if you are having a little trouble coming up with creative ideas of your own to help remember how to spell words that you are having difficulty with.

Again, these exercises and ideas are only the tip of the iceberg. There are so many other

creative solutions to spelling problems if you prefer to learn by listening to a word rather than visualising it. It is easy to come up with them too. Unlike the Visual Memory exercises, there are no hard and fast rules that apply to Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge exercises. As long as it relies on you being able to hear the word in order to learn how to spell it then it fits in with this category. However, it would be wise to keep the first few

exercises you try simple until you get a handle on it.

Morphemic Word Knowledge

If you are looking to use a spelling improvement strategy to improve your knowledge of certain words that you have trouble with then you might not need to use a comprehensive

strategy like Visual Memory or Sound Symbol or Graphophonic Knowledge. Both of these strategies provide you with new knowledge that you can use to continuously learn new words, no matter how old you are or how much help you need when it comes to spelling. However they can cause problems. As pointed out earlier, Visual Memory becomes of limited

help when words become more complicated or irregular but Sound Symbol Knowledge can also be limited because we all know that there are certain words that are not spelled in the way that they perhaps should be if they were written down as they were said. As a result, the Morphemic Word Strategy can be an excellent strategy to use in conjunction with either

of the other two strategies to enhance knowledge or to use if you just have a few problems with certain words like dissatisfied, disapprove, unnecessary and Mediterranean (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, p. 27). This is because knowledge of all of those words can be improved by using knowledge of other words.

It is a fact that “…writers use what they know about some words to help them spell other words” (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, p. 29). This is actually a strategy, known as Morphemic Word Knowledge, that can improve your spelling and your general knowledge. Believe it or not, the two forms of knowledge complement each other. This strategy can be a little

difficult to understand if you have no previous experience with it but it is not that difficult to follow when you get used to it. In fact, it can help you to avoid spelling problems that you have yet to meet if you can get a good grasp on it, no matter how old you are.

About

The Morphemic Word Knowledge spelling improvement strategy is generally used on

common words that are more often than not misspelt. These words are very familiar and yet there are double letters, silent letters and strange patterns that can quite easily cause problems when it comes to putting the word down on paper. Take “necessary” for example. When you say it out loud, it does not sound as if it should have a double “s” where it does.

In fact, it actually sounds like the double “s” should be placed where the “c” can be found. Does that make sense? It will if you have ever struggled to spell it. However, the Morphemic Word Knowledge strategy can give you the information you need to ensure that you will never struggle to spell it or words like it again (Slater & Bremner, 2003, p. 269)

That information still does not quite answer what Morphemic Word Knowledge is though and this is where it can get quite tricky because there are two different parts to it. First of all, a morpheme is the smallest possible unit you can break a word down into, not literally but rather the meaning of the word and how it is spelled. For example, “terra”, a distinct word

in its own right, is located in the middle of “Mediterranean” so the larger word can be broken down into a smaller word that has a distinct meaning and also confirms that the larger word is spelled with two r’s and not two t’s as is a common misspelling (Powell & Hornsby, 1993, p. 29). This highlights the fact that this strategy requires a little knowledge

of the English language but there are also patterns to consider. That is the second element.

The Morphemic Word Knowledge strategy draws on knowledge that is already in place and then takes it to the next level in children, which helps to improve overall literacy. For example, Slater and Bremner point out that children confuse the spelling of word endings, such as past tenses, with how they sound, giving “killd” and “kist” as examples when they should really read “killed” and “kissed” (2003, p. 269). This pattern of past tense endings of

certain words can help to improve a child’s knowledge of how words are written correctly. It is all about applying the knowledge you have of various other words to those that you use every day but struggle to spell.

Why It Works

Confused yet? If you are not confused but in fact know how and why knowledge of other

words can help you to spell those words that you routinely have trouble with then you will also understand why Morphemic Word Knowledge works.

Morphemic Word Knowledge works because it helps the person having difficulties with

spelling to not only fully understand a word’s meaning but also to make sure that this knowledge is retained so as to prevent problems with it in future. There is no Visual Memory or Sound Symbol Knowledge required at all – only a little bit of information about various words – so it takes a completely different approach to the chore of improving spelling. Not only that, it does not really require any work or special effort because the knowledge is

already there waiting to be used.

Flippo and Caverly highlight that a “…morpheme is the smallest unit of language that still retains meaning” but also that it is not a common technique used to improve spelling until

college (2008, p. 101). It tends not to be used on children because it is assumed that they do not have the knowledge needed to use this particular strategy but that is not the case. For example, take the word triangle. There are two distinct sections in the word – tri and angle. When the meaning of these two separate and distinct words are broken down, it tells

you that the literal meaning is “three angles”. When that knowledge is memorised, it can easily be called to the surface when someone needs it. The concept of using Morphemic Word Knowledge for spelling works in much the same way. As an “independent word learning technique” (Flippo & Caverly, 2008, p. 101), this strategy is particular useful as a

result and can really be used for any age group providing that there is knowledge of the words within the words, so to speak!

Exercises and Ideas

There are certain exercises that you can do to improve your Morphemic Word Knowledge but they are not as plentiful as those that have been mentioned in relation to Visual Memory or Sound Symbol Knowledge. In fact, there are very few exercises because it depends on

the basic word knowledge that you have already built up. Children tend to take in a lot of information related to words but that lessens off as they grow into adults so it is all about using what you know to your advantage when it comes to spelling.

One of the main exercises that you can do to improve your spelling with the Morphemic Word Knowledge strategy is come up with a list of words that you hear and maybe even use all the time but always get confused with when it comes to spelling on paper. You might include some of the following words:

Disappear – Dis – appear Disaffect – Dis – affect Misspelled – Mis – spelled Mediterranean – Medi – terra – nean

Tyrannosaurus – Tyran – no – saurus

These words are all quite common but are all commonly misspelled. After you have written them down, use your knowledge of smaller words to break these words down into smaller

units so that you can understand the meaning of the words as much as how to spell them, as per the second column. This exercise is effective and should really highlight how useful the Morphemic Word Knowledge strategy can be.

Computer Aided Spelling

Although the introduction highlighted how damaging technology can be to our ability to spell

all sorts of words (thanks to the availability of spell checker on every PC), did you realise that it could also help you to improve your spelling if you use it in the right way? There are so many software and program options available to you today that it would be easy to take advantage of them to improve your spelling. Although some of the Computer Aided Spelling programs are aimed at specific groups of people, such as primary school children or those

with learning difficulties, there are some that are designed for general use so it is necessary to choose which options you think will be the best possible ones for you when it comes to improving your spelling.

The Computer Aided Spelling programs can be used as part of an effective spelling improvement strategy and are widely used in schools because of the advantages they offer.

For more info on spelling software, also see the spelling software reviews by Boffin.

About

The spelling improvement strategy that incorporates Computer Assisted Spelling programs can take a variety of forms because it is actually big business. Many companies and learning boards manufacture different software programs that come in a variety of forms. Some are tutorials that focus on specific types of errors and issues that you may have whereas others are interactive tools that require a response from the people using them to assess their

abilities and help them to learn.

Computer Assisted Spelling programs are widely used in classrooms today to encourage improvements in spelling. They are used in a variety of ways, such as encouraging peer tutoring and providing different levels so that each child can work his or her way up the knowledge tree so to speak (Westwood, 2008, p. 40). Each program often uses a wide variety of techniques and strategies in one, especially Sound Symbol Knowledge and Visual

Memory tools that promote learning and improvement in spelling. This not only makes it incredibly fun but it also ensures that there is something for everyone.

However, it should be noted that there are nowhere near as many options for those adults

wishing to improve their spelling abilities as there are for children where Computer Assisted Spelling is concerned. There are just very few programs made because they are not in as much demand as those for children and the majority are created for the companies behind them to make a profit.

Why It Works

It is difficult to give specific reasons why individual Computer Assisted Spelling programs work because they are all so different. They target different groups of people, have different content and often have absolutely nothing in common apart from the fact that they all embrace computer technology to help teach spelling techniques and strategies like those mentioned in previous chapters. However, there are some general advantages and benefits

that highlight why the strategy works as a whole.

Computer Aided Spelling programs have a whole range of advantages that other spelling improvement strategies just do not have and it is as a result of these advantages that

people of all ages can really boost their spelling abilities. The main strength that Computer Aided Spelling has is the fact that it avoids the weaknesses that so many other strategies and programs have. That is to say that these programs have all of the following attributes as per Tropping’s analysis (1995, p. 80):

Generalisation of skills so no particular focus on one specific element of spelling Introduction of skills that enhance development and avoidance of future errors Flexibility to work on areas of spelling that need a confidence boost

It also provides immediate feedback so you get to find out exactly where you are going wrong and how to put it right without having to wait for feedback. In fact, the very fact that you get feedback at all is excellent because many strategies, especially those used by adults, might not highlight problems as and when they occur. As such, with Computer

Assisted Spelling, there is no reason to continue making the same mistakes over and over again. Even better, you can use this particular strategy in conjunction with others to learn as much or as little as you like to improve your spelling (Tropping, 1995, p. 80).

Exercises and Ideas

Getting ideas, hints and tips about how you can use Computer Assisted Spelling programs is difficult because all you literally have to do is choose a program, install it onto your

computer and get going. The programs are flexible and can check any number of boxes for you but you have to find the right programs for your needs first. The following information and tips can help you to do that:

Check out consumer and educational reviews to find the best Computer Assisted Spelling programs for your needs because there are so many that it can get very confusing. Take your time to do your research in advance and also be sure to read all of the other spelling improvement strategies here because they will help you to

decide what you want and need out of the programs. Try interactive tools that allow you to interact with other people at the same time as

learning how to spell that little bit better. This is because you will be able to share hints, tips and experiences with other people at the same time, much as children can

in the classroom setting, and this will actually improve your ability to learn. It is not as one dimensional an experience.

Finally, some providers of Computer Assisted Spelling programs do offer free demonstration versions of their software so you can try before you buy. As not all programs will suit you, trying them out may be a good idea.

Computer Assisted Spelling is an excellent strategy to use if you are looking to improve your spelling in the near future. Whether you are an adult or a child, you can benefit from technology. However, you may actually want to look into whether or not you would prefer to

use this strategy as some of the programs can be quite expensive. They are often worth it but there are alternatives if your budget is a little constricted.

Word Identification

Of all the spelling improvement strategies available to help people today, there are few that are as useful or as popular as Word Identification. Whereas other strategies and techniques rely on visualisation or how words sound, Word Identification relies on knowledge and recognition of words. It is strongly linked to reading, but that is not to say that poor readers cannot use it to great effect. In fact, they can because it is possible to improve reading and spelling all at the same time (Smith, 2004, p. 91).

Word Identification is an excellent spelling improvement strategy for adults and children to use throughout their attempts to get better spelling knowledge over a short period of time because it encourages everyone to recognise words, acknowledge their meaning and then break them down into easy to recognise sounds. The sounds and images of words are just two distinct parts of the strategy that can help you to find a great all round solution to your spelling problems.

About

The Word Identification spelling improvement strategy works by “…teaching children to break down large, unfamiliar words into smaller, more recognisable words [which] helps

them to, eventually, decipher the meaning of those tough words.” (Angelisi, 2000, p. 6). Of course, the same principle also applies to adults. This may sound a little like the Morphemic Word Knowledge spelling improvement strategy that was discussed earlier but there is one key difference – no previous knowledge of the smaller words or sounds is required. Instead,

the only thing you need to be able to do is to see the word and break it down into groups of letters that you can remember.

There are actually two ways that the Word Identification spelling improvement strategy can

work for you and the one chosen depends on personal preference. It is possible to use whole word identification or letter sequence identification (Smith, 2004, p. 91). Think of how a child may read a word for the first time and how an adult might read an unfamiliar word to see the difference. The child would read it letter by letter before the sounds seem to

make sense together whereas an adult will attempt to read it as one whole word. That is literally the difference between the methods that you can use within Word Identification but many people find the child’s way of identifying the word more effective for improving spelling.

There are many ways that Word Identification can be taught to adults and children, with one of the most popular in adult and child classroom settings being word walls and word charts. According to Angelisi, the display of a wide variety of words, both long and short, can help to improve your vocabulary in the first instance before moving on to spelling the

words through Word Identification. This may sound a little complicated but it really is not. Basically, you can see the words on a wall chart, read them out loud to see how they sound, learn their meaning and then begin to identify smaller words within the larger ones so that you ultimately learn how to slot them together to spell without hesitation. Wall charts are

incredibly effective for use in this strategy because “…students can visually be reminded of any words that may be useful in helping them decode the meanings of words, remember spelling and writing patterns of words.” (Angelisi, 2000, p. 6)

Why It Works

Word Identification is an easy spelling improvement strategy to use and it works well because it literally involves reading and little else. It really is simple. You just read a word, say it out loud and then break it into easily manageable letter clusters so that you can begin to memorise them. The first time you try out the strategy, you might well find it a little bit difficult and even long winded because it can take some time to get used to using it. Despite that, you will find that using Word Identification becomes a lot easier in a very short period of time and can help you to learn more words with less effort than a number of other techniques as mentioned here.

Of course, if you are considering using this spelling improvement strategy then it is assumed that you know how to spell the shorter words that are commonly found in larger words already. Not, and, is, cat, rat, as and air are commonly found within larger words and most adults and children over the age of primary school will know how to spell and recognise them. However, you might find that there are larger words within the more

complex ones that you are learning how to spell.

Word Identification also works really well because once you have identified one word and learned how to spell it, you will never forget that word and your mind will recognise it

whenever it appears (Smith, 2004, p. 92). As a result, variations of the word also become easier to recognise and spell so, in effect, you can learn whole groups of words at a time rather than just taking up more time learning single words.

Exercises and Ideas

There are many exercises and ideas that you can take advantage of to improve your

spelling through the Word Identification strategy. The use of wall charts and displays has already been mentioned and are by far the most popular techniques. They can be used by adults and children alike, with words being replaced as and when they have been effectively learned. However, that is not to say that wall charts are the only possible exercises and ideas that can be used to improve your spelling with the Word Identification technique. In

fact, there are many more ideas that can be used and you have license to be creative:

Flash cards are ideal for use with this particular technique because they display words that can be easily identified and broken down again and again. Those that

feature pictures, such as the one that is shown in the Visual Memory chapter, are not necessarily the best option s for this strategy so plain Flash cards will be better.

Why not take the wall chart idea one step further and use magazines and newspapers to create words. Cut out letters from magazines and stick them to paper

to form words. This will help because it will make Word Identification not only fun and memorable but will also distort the words so you will find them much easier to recognise and break down when you see them written normally.

Use word games to recognise words, like word searches and crosswords. Not only

will you be able to picture those words again but the grid actually helps you to break down the words in order to learn them properly.

Word Identification games and puzzles are available at various specialist spelling sites online so you can make the most of computer assisted spelling programs. Some of them have different methods so you may have to see which ones out there will

suit you but there are plenty of options.

This list is by no means exhaustive so you can get as creative or as boring as you like. The beauty of Word Identification is that you can use whatever techniques under this strategy

work for you and if you get bored of one then you can just switch to another. It really is a fun way to improve your spelling.

Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check

This particular spelling improvement strategy is used widely around the world to help children improve their ability to spell but it is often not given credit for being a strategy in

its own right. In fact, Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check is often put in with the Visual Memory strategy because it relies on a person’s ability to recall the exact spelling of words that they have just laid eyes on. However, it is a strategy in its own right because academics have performed separate research on the technique and how effective it is.

Although it is thought of as a spelling improvement strategy for children at primary level, Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check can be used by every individual that wants to improve his or her spelling regardless of age. The idea is to teach basic words to younger children but that is not to say that it cannot be used for adults either. In fact, it is an excellent exercise for all ages and one of the better spelling improvement strategies available because it is virtually impossible to overcomplicate it.

About

The Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check strategy is actually a really simple strategy to remember. It comes under a variety of names but the basic idea is always the same:

Look at the word in context Say the word silently Think of the meaning

Try to see the word in your mind’s eye Cover it over, still trying to see the word Write the word Check against the correct version.

(Bearne, 1998, p. 229)

As you can see, the step by step nature of the strategy makes it really easy to follow but it

can still “…strengthen visual imagery and enhance the recognition and recall of letter patterns.” (Westwood, 2008, p. 80). Although this refers to the visual nature of words, some teachers encourage children to say words out loud instead of thinking about them internally so that there is an auditory benefit as well. As a result, it can combine how a word

looks and how it sounds to improve the individual’s spelling.

The Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check spelling improvement strategy is a particular favourite in schools and at home because parents may remember using that tactic to memorise their spelling lists every single week. However, adults that look to improve their spelling do not

often practice using the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check because it can be viewed as childish. In fact, it is a simple exercise that woks just as well in adults and it does in children so it is worth considering for people of all ages.

Why It Works

Much like the Visual Memory strategy that was discussed in a previous chapter, the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check depends on the memory to work. It relies on the person looking

to improve their spelling remembering how the word looked on paper and recreating that but is may also depend on the way that person remembers the word sounding when it is spoken out loud. The beauty of the strategy actually lies in the fact that it is completely up to the person learning to improve spelling whether or not they rely on visualisation or the

way a word sounds. It puts the initiative in your hands because you can choose how best you learn before you go about memorising words that you might have found difficult before. This is a technique that is often used with learning difficulties because it empowers the student to think about the process themselves rather than telling them what to do (Jones &

Charlton, 1996, p. 228).

There are some critics of the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check strategy though. For example, Westwood points out the following:

The critics suggest that it relies too much on rote memorisation of letter sequences without at the same time, encouraging a speller to attend to phonic cues within the word. Cooke (1997) says that LCWC does not make full use of the alphabetic nature of the English writing system, not the role of phonology in spelling both regular and irregular words.

(2008, p. 80)

Although the points made in these criticisms might appear valid to begin with, the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check strategy is not meant to be overly complicated and that is why it

relies on learning letters by heart. That is why it does not make full use of the English writing system. There is absolutely no need for it to do so. The only reason why these criticisms need to be looked at here is purely because some schools do not use the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check strategy as a result of these criticisms so you may have heard

them before but that is not to say that are not useful. In fact, the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check is versatile and works because it makes learning easy.

No matter how old you are, Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check can really help to boost your

ability to spell regular and irregular words. The repetition works wonders to imprint the words you want to learn on your brain. Even better, is it not an expensive strategy to use because all you have to is get a piece of paper and pen to make it work, although you can make the strategy a little more fun if you want to.

Exercises and Ideas

Given the nature of this particular spelling improvement strategy, it is fair to say that there are very few exercises that you can do to improve its success rate because the strategy

itself is one big exercise! By nature, the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check has five distinct steps to help you improve your spelling and it is difficult to use each of them in other distinct exercises. Of course, you could change the exercise a little if you find a better way of doing it. For example, you may choose to recite the spelling out loud rather than

thinking. It may be easier to say the letters out loud and remember them instead of thinking about them. It is advisable to use this particular strategy in several similar ways. Only then will you find the best one for you.

However, there are little tricks and ideas that you can try out to improve your memory of the words you learn when using the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check technique. For example, Jackman points out: “Whilst the use of mnemonic trickery cannot seriously of itself underpin a spelling programme, in its place it can have useful, if limited, applications

especially with those one off problem words (remembering the cess pit in the middle means you’ll never again misspell ‘necessary’!)” (2002, p. 17). This is an excellent idea because linking words to specific sayings or ideas like necessary having a cess pit in the middle of it can help you to remember the spelling during the Think section of the exercise. It also makes the whole process a little more fun. Here are some more ideas and tips for

remembering how to spell words during the Think section of Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check:

Draw pictures or doodles to remind you of difficult sections of the word

Take notice of patterns in the letters and use them to your advantage Look for memorable cues that you could remember (such as someone’s initials or

letters that can make up a rhyme) (Jones & Charlton, 1996, p. 230) Break the word down into memorable sections, spell them individually and then put

the word together when you feel ready.

No matter how you choose to remember the words you are learning to spell with this particular strategy, always remember to keep it simple because that is the whole idea

behind the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check technique. If you overcomplicate it then you will find that you learn absolutely nothing so do not stray too far from the original formula and keep it simple.

Pattern Spelling

Pattern spelling has been one of the most underestimated spelling improvement strategies in schools and amongst adults over the last few decades and yet recent research has proved

that it is easily one of the most effective because it can be made to be fun and memorable. Mary Ann Angelisi found that this was the case during her research in 2000. Although she researched improving spelling in the classroom rather than in adults, her findings are very important. For example, she stated that “Encouraging students to search for certain spelling

patterns in words can help them remember the spelling of the word better”, with patterns being rhyming patterns, consonant or vowel clusters, prefixes and suffixes (2000, p. 5).

There are plenty of groups of words that can be learned by using this particular spelling improvement strategy many of which most people probably do not link together unless they experience difficulties spelling them. As a result, the Pattern Spelling strategy is dependent on adults and children that have problems spelling certain groups of words identifying their own needs and issues but if you do have difficulties and can identify where you are going wrong then this strategy is ideal for helping you.

About

The Pattern Spelling strategy is based upon the idea that there are groups of words that feature predictable patterns and letter sequences that look and sound very similar (Department of Education – Tasmania, 2007). As such, it incorporates the Visual Memory and Sound Symbol Knowledge strategies to a certain extent, combining them to help people

having trouble with spelling. The idea is to group words together so that people can learn the patterns and so learn several words at once. The sense of achievement is amazing and can really help to boost a child or adult’s confidence.

Some examples of similar words that can be learned as part of the Pattern Strategy are as follows:

Group One – Other, Mother, Smother, Brother, Bother. Group Two – Sand, Stand, Strand, Sanded, Stranded. Group Three – Ease, Cease, Lease, Please.

All three of these groups of words have similar patterns but, you may notice, do not always

have the same sounds when they are spoken aloud. This is why Sound Symbol Knowledge and Visual Memory strategies for improving spelling do not always work when it comes to groups of words. Instead, Pattern Spelling is very useful in bypassing audio and visual problems and takes a multisensory approach instead (Westwood, 2008, p. 70)

The Pattern Spelling improvement strategy incorporates a vast range of sound patterns, visual spelling patterns and even vowel and consonant patterns like alliteration (Sterling & Robson, 1992, p. 169). As such, it could be argued to be one of the best and certainly one of the most comprehensive spelling improvement strategies that can be used to help adults and children alike. It is commonly taught through techniques like speaking similar words

aloud while the teacher is pointing to specific words on a wall chart in primary schools but improving spelling through Pattern Spelling techniques to adults is not as easy because individual adult needs are different. That is not to say that adults cannot take advantage of the strategy, just that they have to be more creative.

Why It Works

The Pattern Spelling strategy works because it combines the best of a number of spelling improvement strategies together so it is not overly reliant on either visual cues or the way in which the words sound when they are broken. It really is as simple as that. It neither relies on sounds nor pictures but instead allows for the best combinations of both. Not only

that, it also allows for the identification of something memorable in groups of words in adults and children alike.

Jackman states that: “All memory can be dramatically assisted if the information to memorised is organised and categorised in a meaningful way. For young children, without

significant experience of the printed work, such help is vitally important.” (2002, p. 16). Although he focuses on young children, Jackman makes a good point. Pattern Spelling allows for significant organisation of sounds, letters and categories of word, all of which make learning or improving spelling that little bit easier in the long term.

Pattern Spelling is also a lot of fun because it allows for creativity in both adults and children when learning to use the strategy effectively. Spotting patterns is in no way boring at all because you do not have to sit with a book open in front of you. Instead, it gives you

a chance to get creative because there is no set way to identify patterns.

Exercises and Ideas

Speaking of creativity, the general rule is the more creative the better when it comes to exercises and ideas to promote Pattern Spelling as a strategy to help improve spelling in adults and children. As the strategy embraces all of the senses, it is your choice as to how

you want to use them to improve your own spelling skills. There are a few ideas outlined above but this list is not exhaustive by any means so you can really go to town when you are looking for a little inspiration yourself:

Rhyming is a wonderful exercise to use to help improve spelling with this particular

strategy because it highlights sound patterns within individual words and these are more often than not also visible when the words are spelled out on paper (Westwood, 2008, p. 13). Nursery rhymes can help children to see Pattern Spelling but songs and chants can be just as useful for adults.

Tongue twisters and similar enunciation exercises can also be really useful in highlighting patterns within word groupings, especially consonant or vowel patterns that you might miss in ordinary rhymes.

Flow charts are particularly useful in charting patterns in various groups of words, particularly for adults that need to see how words evolve in terms of their sound and

the way in which they are spelled. For example, the groups of words written in the previous sections all have certain letters in common and the changes can be highlighted in visual aids.

Use art instead of the written word if you are not a keen reader or have problems

with reading. You can use symbols for certain sounds to make them easier to remember or you can have a little fun in drawing the letters or patterns that are the same in all of the words in a different way. It is completely up to you.

The only rule that applies to Pattern Spelling exercises is that you should not overcomplicate the process. Patterns are simple by nature, even when they are related to spelling, so make sure that you use that simplicity to your advantage. If you choose to come up with anything more complex then it may well confuse you. Similarly, if you find that visual patterns work

better for you than sound patterns then use that to your advantage. Always choose the easy option because your spelling will improve with less effort.

Summary

As you can see from the information in each of the lesson, being a bad speller does not have to be something that you are stuck with for life. Instead, it need only be a temporary feature of your life providing that you become pro-active and look for a solution sooner rather than later. Admitting that you have a problem with spelling does not seem like a big deal when you are a child but can be a really tough problem to seek help with when you are an adult so the sooner you take matters into your own hands and look for a solution, the less you have to endure the embarrassment!

Each of the seven spelling improvement strategies that feature in this eBook have their own positive and negatives, advantages and disadvantages. However, it is difficult to pinpoint what they are or each strategy because it all depends on what works for you. Everyone is

different and has unique personal preferences, strengths and weaknesses. As a result, it is down to you to research each of the strategies and then choose the one that works best for you. Do not be afraid to try several of them out if you so wish because doing so could actually surprise you. You may find that one suits your spelling issues better than you thought.

All of the information you’ve read is based on comprehensive academic research, which has been performed specifically to make sure that you have the most up to date and reliable information at your fingertips. Academic research has been particularly useful in helping to

identify the seven most effective spelling improvement strategies out there at this moment in time and it should also be useful in helping to give you everything you need to improve your spelling quickly and easily.

There is a lot of information included in each of the strategies so a quick summary of each is outlined below for your convenience:

Visual Memory – The Visual Memory strategy is designed to help those who work well with visual cues, who are able to picture words and spell them correctly, and those who have a good visual memory but are not necessarily as good with sounds. Picturing words can certain help to improve spelling if the above applies to you.

Graphophonic or Sound Symbol Knowledge – If your mind can process sounds better than images hen Sound Symbol Knowledge may be a good option for you because it allows you to break words down into individual sounds until you can remember how to spell them.

Morphemic Word Knowledge – The Morphemic Word Knowledge strategy uses the knowledge of smaller words that you already have to teach you how to spell other longer and more problematic words.

Computer Aided Spelling – Take advantage of technology with one of the many Computer Aided Spelling programs that are available today. More common for children than for adults, interactive programs can correct poor spelling choices and encourage people to use techniques that suit them to improve their spelling.

Word Identification – Word Identification is an interactive way to improve spelling because you have to interact with and recognise the words before breaking them down into bite size patterns that are easier to remember when spelling words that you have previously

had difficulties with.

Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check – Commonly used in schools, the Look, Think, Cover, Write, Check is a fantastically simple exercise for those people who can memorise the way a word looks and sounds before spelling it out. The several steps are easy to follow and use.

Pattern Spelling – Finally, Pattern Spelling is an excellent strategy to use if you have difficulties remembering how to spell groups of words that look or sound similar but are not necessarily as easy as they first appear. You can really get creative with this strategy.

Now you have everything you need to know to improve your spelling effectively regardless of how old you are or what your strengths and weaknesses are. All you need to do now is seize the day and take control of your spelling ability once and for all.

Resources

Teaching Ideas – Literacy (Writing & Spelling)

This website provides numerous spelling ideas and resources for everyone to take advantage of. You can download spelling patterns help sheets and spelling hints and tips ideas from this page.

Robin Stephenson – How to Improve a Child’s Spelling Skills This is a simple article that contains numerous hints and tips that can help you to improve your spelling, many of which are not included in the strategies provided for your convenience in this eBook.

LGfL – Primary Stratgies: Literacy This website is primarily designed for teaching spelling but can be used by anyone looking for a little spelling boost. It contains resources like spelling strategies, journals and games.

National Literary Trust – Literary Resources This website provides a vast range of resources for parents, reading groups, basic skills practitioners, librarians, teachers and other individuals looking to improve spelling. It includes practical resources, videos and external links to help you.

Spelling it Right – Learn how to Spell Confidently Perhaps the best spelling resource available online. It is for parents to help their children, adults who have difficulties with spelling and teachers who need help with lesson plans. It

contains printable worksheets, advice, games, puzzles and strategies. In short, it contains everything you need no matter what level your spelling is at.

References

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Anonymous, 1997. Spelling Poem. English Teacher’s Network (ETNI). [Online] Available at:

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Aston, Lois Brown, 2007. Engaging the Disengaged: How Schools Can Help Struggling Students Succeed. London: Corwin Press.

Bearne, Eve, 1998. Making Progress in English. London: Routledge.

Department of Education, Tasmania, 2007. Spelling Strategies. University of Tasmania – English Learning Area. [Online] Available at: http://wwwfp.education.tas.gov.au/English/spellstrat.htm [Last accessed 27 June 2010]

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Sterling, Chris M. & Robson, Cliff, 1992. Section Four: Spelling Problems. In Chris M. Sterling & Cliff Robson eds. Psychology, Spelling and Education. Bristol, PA: Multilingual Matters Ltd, pp. 182-184.

Taylor, Emma & Martlew, Margaret, 1992. Developmental Differences in Phonological Spelling Strategies. In Chris M. Sterling & Cliff Robson eds. Psychology, Spelling and Education. Bristol, PA: Multilingual Matters Ltd, pp. 168-180.

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