spelling matters exploring questions commonly asked about spelling. webinar 8 december 2010
TRANSCRIPT
SPELLING MATTERSEXPLORING QUESTIONS COMMONLY ASKED ABOUT SPELLING.
Webinar 8 December 2010
Kia ora koutou !
By the end of this webinar I hope you will have:
a better understanding of the importance of spelling
an increased awareness of the reasons why English spelling is complex
a more informed knowledge of spelling strategies
a taste for learning more!
Webinar ObjectivesWebinar Objectives
Webinar OverviewWebinar Overview
How important is spelling?
People are often judged on their spelling
A well-written text can lose its credibility if there are spelling mistakes
Spelling mistakes can create the wrong impression about a person
Lack of confidence in spelling can
lead to a self-image as a poor speller
Fear of failure and humiliation
Writing anxiety
Society’s values Self-perception
The impact on the individual
How important is spelling?How important is spelling?
Good spelling makes writing so much easier!
Automaticity in spelling allows the writer to focus on the creation of ideas and conveying meaning
Accurate spelling enhances fluency in writing
What is the role of spelling in writing?
How important is spelling?How important is spelling?
Good spelling reinforces success in reading: mutually beneficial
Learning to decode and learning to spell are inextricably linked: built on same foundation
“Decoding and spelling are the foundations of literacy.” (Nicholson, 2005 )
What is the role of spelling in reading?
Dual GoalDual GoalHow important is spelling?How important is spelling?The interplay between decoding and spelling
Decoding: from unknown
to known
Spelling: from known to unknown
(encoding)
written
spoken
Any questions or comments so far?
Why is English spelling so complex?Why is English spelling so complex?
English spelling is complex, but it is not random
English spelling appears to be arbitrary and irregular, but in fact “only 4% of English words are truly irregular.” (Joshi, R.M., Treiman, R., Carreker, S., & Moats, L.C. ,2009)
No consistent mapping between letters and sounds, e.g. go, some, do and hot
English spelling reflects the history of the English language. The English language has the richest vocabulary of all languages.
Adult Learners Learn Best in a Meaningful Context.Adult Learners Learn Best in a Meaningful Context.Why is English spelling so complex?Why is English spelling so complex?The layers of the English language
Question time
What do good spellers do?What do good spellers do?
They are word conscious, they recognise patterns and notice word origins
They have a natural, intuitive awareness of language systems and language structure
They have an implicit knowledge of spelling rules and conventions
What do good spellers do?What do good spellers do?
morphologyorthograp
hy
What spelling strategies can be taught?What spelling strategies can be taught?
ConclusionConclusion
Teach spelling in context Teach systematically and explicitly rather
than randomly and incidentally Balance skill instruction with plenty of
practice in reading and writing Foster an interest in words, make your
learners word conscious and encourage them to look for patterns
Any questions, comments, concerns?
References
Henry, M.K. (2006). Unlocking literacy: Effective decoding & spelling instruction. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Joshi, R.M., Treiman, R., Carreker, S., & Moats, L.C. (2009). How words cast their spell. American Educator, 32(4), 6-16.
Moats, L.C. (2010). Speech to print: Language essentials for teachers. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Nicholson, T. (2005). At the cutting edge: The importance of phonemic awareness in learning to read and spell. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
Templeton, S. & Morris, D. (1999). Questions teachers ask about spelling. Reading Research Quarterly, 34(1), 102-112. Retrieved from ProQuest Education Journals database.
