How to spell words is one of the basic problems that most students struggle with!

Most of the students do not see a problem when it comes to the pronunciation of words. Actually, they can easily tell you even of the most difficult vocabulary.

However, the problems come in when it comes to the spelling of those words.

Most of the students find it a challenge pronouncing certain words in English. This issue impacts their learning as they are not able to learn faster the content of their studies and therefore to waste more time.

Students who learn how to spell words correctly, most of the time find learning easy, and they catch up with things faster.

Wastage of time to learn the spelling of hard words do cost most students a great deal. However, there are some of the kids who are leading thinkers but slow in spelling.

The History of English Spelling Words

The spelling of words is the ability to state the letters that constitute a particular word. The writing came up in the 7th century, and they used the Roman alphabets, later on, St Augustine brought church Latin.

Since then spelling and language have been changing over time. Since then people tried really hard to spell words without mistakes.

The spelling system used currently dates back to 1400 where a poet by the name Chaucer pioneered it. The history of spelling in English examines the stages of the levels that it has gone through to where it is today.

What Makes Spelling so Difficult for Some Kids?

It takes them much energy and time, and this can result in low self-esteem for learners. They are often too afraid of spelling tests.

Complex Pronunciation

Most of the English words that bring spelling challenges to students are words that contain phonemes that use less graphene mapping.

Some of the factors that determine the difficulty in pronunciation of certain words include lower frequency words.

When you come across a nutshell every day, you get used to it. You can quickly master its spelling, but there are those specific words that are rarely used in our conversation. Therefore getting to know the spelling becomes a challenge.

Words Originating from Different Language

Another factor is the name origin. The English language has the tendency to allow foreign words into it.

The foreign words are usually hard to spell because it has a different source and therefore even the pronunciation is different.

Silent Letters are Silent Killers!

Words with silent letters also bring a challenge when it comes to spelling.

How do you know how to spell a word?

You know how to spell a word by first pronouncing the word, then from there is when you can go deep and spell each letter.

The words that have silent letters brings difficulty when it comes to spelling them. Because the silent letter is not pronounced and therefore there is the tendency of leaving the note behind.

Longer Words are Always a Problem

Some of the words are long, very long!

Therefore they contain more characters. So when it comes to their pronunciation, an individual has to spell a long sequence of letters and it is through this that chances of making an error high.

It is not difficult to master how to spell a word that is short because one can quickly learn the letters.

Not Everyone Learns at a Constant Pace

Individual differences may also contribute to how one spells a word.

Some people do not find any difficulty in pronouncing certain words because they encounter it in their day to day studies.

But there are those that find it difficult because their education does not contain such terms and therefore it comes as a new word to them.

Tips to Master Spell Words 

There are several tips on mastering how to spell words easily in English. You can visit lifehack to get more tips.

Identify the Words You Often Misspell

One is by creating your challenge in the construction of sentences and writing them. Identify the words that usually challenge you when it comes to their spelling.

After that, you can sit and construct sentences using those words so that you become used to their spellings.

The practice will increase your frequency of encounter with these words, and you will be able to find their spelling easy.

Dictations Help, A Lot!

Another way in which you can quickly know how to spell a word is by use of dictation. At SpelQuiz, you can find dictation for adults, as well as, dictation for class 2. 

You can assign your friend the task of dictating to you English words that you find difficult to spell as you write them.

By dictation, you will be able to gain confidence, and you will learn the spelling of the words slowly. After misspelling those words, you can always repeat them again until it becomes part of you.

Spelling Bee Mock-Ups

In schools, students can come up with a competition on how to spell words in English and those who score highly should be awarded.

Think of it as a mini Spelling Bee with your friends.

Now you can take part in Spelling Bee online too and make new friends! Check out the SBO section on SpellQuiz today! This online game help you with simple 3rd grade spelling bee words to 12th grade spelling bee words. 

Two groups should be formed, and it becomes group A against group B. Then there should be a person to pose the questions to the two groups so that they compete and every right word spelled should earn the team some points.

It will be the work of the person in charge to pronounce those words to the groups, and the students should be in a position to spell the phrase.

After the exercise, the two teams should be rank and the best team awarded. Then correction has to be highlighted so that the students learn where they made mistakes.

Listening, Speaking, Spelling!

Another skill of mastering spelling of words is by spelling the phrase aloud. It would enhance the listening skill of the kids as well.  

When you spell a word aloud, your ears get used to hearing the word, and therefore it ends up being part of you.

By spelling words aloud you can also be able to detect errors made. Because they will automatically not sound correct and you will realize your mistake.

A Better Reading Culture

Developing a healthy reading culture also contributes to the spelling of English words correctly.

When you develop a reading culture, you will come to many terms and vocabularies. By doing so every time you will be able to master the spelling of those words, and it will improve your grammar.

Try this vocabulary check tool tester to understand your current skill level!

Final Words

In conclusion, it is clear that there are a lot of challenges encountered in how to spell words in English. But you can overcome all these problems by mastering some skills and practicing the spelling of those words.

For more information on how you can improve your spelling, you can visit SpellQuiz.com. 

A master of spelling is a master of communication. Without the ability to freely and flawlessly express yourself, in spoken and written words, life can be tough! Many adults today find it hard expressing themselves in simple and clearly understandable manner because of lack of ability to spell words correctly. Words are the building blocks of written and spoken communication. People need to know how to spell for them to communicate effectively.

In the classroom, kids who lack spelling ability face difficulties in coping with learning. For such kids, competitive learning is a challenge, and they are always afraid of asking questions for fear of revealing their shortcomings in spelling.

Spelling matters!

Knowing how to spell correctly goes with important things in life.

Anyone would forgive you, if on social media, for using abbreviations like “hw r u 2day? Or Av a gr8 day”, but the same is not acceptable in a professional environment for official communication.

Many adults still struggle with standard spelling for adults spelling in their official lives. Let alone the much harder adult spelling bee words. 

Why Do People Struggle with Standard Spelling?

Unfortunately, in all literacy skill-building activities, how to spell is the least taught.

But, it remains the most relentlessly tested of all in our everyday life. Good news is anyone can now learn how to spell the easy way and master one of the most crucial skills in literacy.

The crux of this article is discussing the benefits of online learning to catch your kids young in learning how to spell.

Moreover, try these spelling tests to master English spelling!

Below are six benefits of using online learning system to teach your kids how to spell the easy way

6 Key Benefits of Online Learning Regarding How to Spell

1. Self Learning is More Interesting and More Fun!

Online learning systems are designed to attract children to study. It makes use of interactive learning tools, like games, to get kids to go along with whatever being taught.

Let me use SpellQuiz phonetics learning system as an example.

The program reads out a sentence to the user and requires them to listen and then write out what was read. It goes ahead to tell them how many words they have spelled correctly and the incorrect ones and then scores them over hundred.

So, you should ask your kids to have a better grasp at these sight words as these are the most commonly seen words in the English language. So, sight words practice can be very beneficial. 

Moreover, The NATO Phonetics alphabet should help you deal with tricky situations.

It challenges the learner to brace up and as humans, we want to score higher and by so doing we give it our focus because success motivates us.

2. Motivation Plays a Big Role

Using online learning tool helps to develop the motivator in your kid. It cements a connection between their goal and learning.

Because online learning systems are designed to show progress, it encourages learners by rewarding their efforts with seeing instant progress.

Moreover, it causes them to put in more efforts into their education.

3. Self-Paced Learning

Kids are at liberty to choose their timetable for learning. The system allows learners to pause and continue where they stopped.

Thus it presents an atmosphere of freedom, an essential element in every man’s journey to a successful life.

4. More Practice = Better Familiarity with Words

The way we read is not by reading the whole word, but by the word’s sounds.

Furthermore, phonetics help to cement words sounds in learners’ minds, allowing them to read fluently by calling out the sounds of the words.

Online learning system takes guessing out of learning as it reads out the words first, while the user writes it out the dictation.

5. Instant Correction Means Instant Learning!

Unlike in a normal world where corrections to errors are sometimes postponed or forgotten, online learning has a powerful inbuilt spellchecker that presents instant correction allowing learners to complete the learning process instantly.

It avails your kids the opportunity to have the right answer to the mistakes made, instantly. 

6. More Fluency in Reading and Writing

Phonetics, as taught by online learning systems, use short pieces of text. The method helps learners come up with ideas for essay and stories.

It also etches the words in kids’ minds with accurate pronunciations and tests their ability to spell the expression correctly.

No doubts, it promotes the capacity to read and write fluently, making them good communicators.

Where Can You Get Help?

Online learning system such as SpellQuiz phonetics learning will not only teach your kids how to spell; they will also learn the use of grammar as they use the system.

The system is above common mistakes of accepting sound-alike words as a substitute like in the example: “dose” for “does” where the word in the dictation is “does.”

Let’s not forget about the costs of learning how to spell!

While the traditional school system requires so much to teach your kids how to spell, the online system only takes a fraction of what you spend on transportation to the classroom in the traditional education system.

Try this vocabulary tester to understand your current skill level!

So the final decision is up to you!

For spelling practice and spelling tests, you may sign up for a free trial for SpellQuiz phonetics learning system today and secure their future as better communicators tomorrow.

Now you can take part in Spelling Bee online too! Check out the SBO section on Spellquiz today!

Spelling is so often dismissed as a boring topic which can only be taught via tests and repetitive rote exercises. This misconception has resulted in thousands of children giving up on learning how to spell, when in reality the world of spelling can be a lot of fun. There is a huge range of techniques and activities you can use at home or in the classroom on how to teach spelling in a fun way.

In fact, they’ll probably be having so much fun that they won’t even realize that they’re learning.

Fear is the Worst Enemy

Often, kids start to feel discouraged and even ashamed if they repeatedly have to cross out their answers. If they see the dreaded ‘red pen’ where the teacher has made corrections, the same thing can happen.

A blank page can be intimidating even to the most advanced of writers, and there’s a distinct permanence to the act of writing a word on paper.

When a mistake is made, your child is forced to erase or even cross it out. Remove this daunting aspect from writing and you may find that kids lose their inhibitions and become more willing to risk making mistakes.

Incorporating some modern spelling activities can be quite a miracle to some kids. Unlike traditional writing-based learning, it can open the door to new opportunities.

Kids can try experimenting with letters, without the paralyzing fear of making mistakes. The simple 2nd grade vocabulary words or 3rd grade vocabulary words could bring good results. 

How to Teach Spelling Kids: The Smart Ways

Let’s have a look at some methods which help to add some excitement to spelling activities for kids.

Letter Shapes and Blocks

Some kids have just decided that they don’t like writing, whether it be due to a spelling issue or anything else.

Try removing pen and paper from the equation!

You can buy plenty of letter shapes in the form of magnets, wooden letters, or painted blocks. If you don’t have the budget for that, just print out some letter flashcards, or better yet get the kids to make their own. It would be a fun DIY project.

These can be used for games based on dictation where you ask them to spell a certain word and they arrange the shapes in the correct order.

If there are multiple children present, form them into teams and see who can construct the words the fastest.

So, you should ask your kids to have a better grasp at these sight words as these are the most commonly seen words in the English language. This practice will also be good if you’re looking for ways to teach 2nd grade spelling words or 3rd grade spelling words. 

If you’re doing it one-to-one, use a stopwatch to time the student and see how proud they become as they get quicker. 

There are infinite ways to adapt letter shapes and keep learning fresh.

The shapes give struggling students a visual cue by showing them several possible answers, giving a ‘multiple choice’ aspect to the exercise.

Start with only a few letters and gradually add more for a bigger challenge.

When the child makes a mistake, it’s no big deal, they simply exchange the shape for another one – no erasing or crossing out necessary.

Board and Paper Games

Language games have long been popular among adults and children alike. You can also try introducing some fun quizzes. 

Board games like Scrabble and Boggle are great tools to develop an awareness of spelling as well as vocabulary building and cognitive skills like language plasticity.

Try this vocabulary tester to understand your current skill level!

If these are too advanced for your child, they often have kids versions like Scrabble Junior. Better yet, make a board game yourself to cater to your child’s individual needs.

Draw up a board for ‘snakes and ladders’ where they have to spell a certain word if they land an on a given square.

This allows you to choose specific words that you know your child is having trouble remembering.

Try a dice game where roll the dice and then choose a word with the same number of letters to spell.

For example, if you roll a 4 on the die, you have to spell a word with 4 letters. Add visual or auditory cues as provided, so that students of any level can play.

Hangman is a fantastic spelling based game which children have played among themselves for decades. If they’re doing it already, why not use it to your spelling advantage?

But how to teach spelling words with Hangman?

It’s simple!

To play, one player secretly chooses a word and shows their opponent how many letters it contains. The second player then has to guess letter-by-letter what the word might be. As they accumulate more guesses, the word should become clear. But they have to do it within a certain number of guesses to win.  

Puzzles

Do you know how to teach spelling without making things boring?

The answer is – Puzzles!

Some kids’ brains are wired to work on and solve puzzles. This not only develops their critical thinking ability but can be used for practice spelling, too. 

For example, a Wordsearch forces your child to pay careful attention to the letters in a given word, and also to the letter order.

As they search for the word in a grid of random letters they may need to keep referring back to the spelling to make sure they get the correct answer. 

Wordsearches are also great for letter recognition. It’s one of the basic foundation blocks needed in order to read and write.

Crosswords are another good puzzle for kids’ spelling practice. Clues are presented for the child to discover what word they have to spell.

They then have to fit that word into the correct number of squares, guiding them to the right word length. If they need extra help, encourage them to solve the puzzle by looking up the word.

Read More: 10 Spelling Tricks to Solve the Tricky Spelling Issues!

Computer-Based Learning

As we enter the technology age, kids are increasingly attracted to computers and mobile devices.

Why not boost your child’s education by adding computer-based learning?

It might just answer your questions regarding how to teach spelling to kids.

Kids love the chance to use technology. So they’re likely to jump at the chance to play video games or do quizzes online. Eventually, they will love partaking in spelling activities online. 

You don’t have to tell them it’s educational!

There are countless resources for interactive multimedia online.  Websites like SpellQuiz engage children in spelling by handing them power over their own learning.

Kids often feel at the mercy of teachers and adults who decided what they will learn and how they will learn it. 

SpellQuiz not only provides your child with materials like spelling practice sessions but helps them to develop their own learning autonomy and motivation.

Now you can take part in online Spelling Bee too! Check out the SBO section on Spellquiz today! It’s a great way to promote competitiveness in your child. 

Spelling doesn’t have to be limited to just writing out words; incorporate games, sensory activities and physical movement into your repertoire to fully engross your child in literacy. One-to-one activities or games among a group can combine education with fun both at home and in the classroom.

We live in a world which is particularly dynamic and it becomes more and more challenging by the minute. It’s important to keep up with what’s under the daylight if you want to stay relevant and afloat. The society that we have to cope with is particularly multi-cultural and diverse.

People from all nations, religions, ethnicities and different cultural groups come together, bound by one thing which gathers them all – language. And, there is no other language which is as popular and vastly spread as English. Being able to speak and understand English as Second Language is a tremendous advantage.

Being born in a non-English speaking country is even sometimes considered as a certain drawback, which I will not agree personally.

However, if you want to make it in the current world, it’s completely out of the question that you should be able to speak and understand English perfectly.

Of course, regular comprehension might also suffice, but if you truly want to shine and stand out, you should be perfectly literate.

English as Second Language – Things to Consider

Of course, there are quite a few things that you might want to consider if you are to start studying English as second language.

Right off the bat, you shouldn’t be overly worried about it – there is nothing complicated about learning a language. English is not a hard language to study.

In fact, it’s pretty simple.

The grammar is pretty straightforward, and the semantics are easy to catch up.

This article will help you know more about ESL, be sure to check it out. 

While there are quite a lot of accents in English, the main ones are also fairly simplified – American and British English.

What’s the Best Way to Start Learning English?

Well, to be completely honest, everyone learns in his separate way.

However, if there is one thing which allows everyone to advance equally, that’s probably if you learn English as second language online. 

There are different key things which have to be considered here, but that’s usually handled by the language school which is tutoring.

What are the Benefits of Learning English as Second Language?

The benefits are numerous. English is going to open new doors and brand new horizons for you.

It’s impossible to encompass all of the advantages, but let’s have a comprehensive look.

The Voice of Global Citizens

You will be capable of communicating with billions of individuals throughout the entire world.

You won’t have to worry about not being able to travel somewhere because of the language barrier. It’s true that not every country has people who speak English. However, this is far more possible than any other language in the world.

Showcasing Professionalism

Knowing and being able to talk English freely is going to open quite a few doors for you in terms of professional realization.

Why do you think the wealthiest and most influential people in the world all know English?

Because it’s paramount!

It’s worthwhile, and it’s something that you just can’t afford to go without.

Knowing English as second language is going to help you get that promotion at work that you’ve been fighting so hard for.

What is more?

It’s going to start pushing you in front of your colleagues who don’t know it, and it’s definitely going to provide you with the upper hand.

That’s the biggest benefit of English.

Regardless of where you are from, English is going to provide you with that multinational literacy. It is going to help people perceive you better and in a way which is far more comprehensive.

Higher Approval

Knowing English automatically makes you acceptable.

Whether this is wrong or right is irrelevant – it’s just the way the world works!

The language has become an international criterion for acceptance, and if you manage to pass it, you are good to go.

Failing at it, however, is not getting you anywhere further.

Keeping Up with the Global Trend

While it’s true that there are huge countries with billions of people of the population such as China and India, where the native languages are also broadly spoken, English is global.

Even in those countries, kids are studying English as second language mandatorily from the first grades of school. This is indicative of the importance of this language.

As you can see for yourself, there are numerous advantages which stem from learning English. Now, we said that learning English as second language online is particularly convenient and incredibly beneficial. That’s true because of a few different things.

How Studying Online Can Solve Problems Regarding ESL? 

Right off the bat, online studying allows you to study at your pace.

It doesn’t take a whole lot of your time because in the majority of cases you will be capable of making your own schedule. This is something that you want to take into account.

At the same time, you should also account for the fact that you will be at home. This takes away long hours of driving and commuting around town, which could truly be a burden.

Of course, there are a lot of challenges as well.

Studying at home requires a tremendous deal of determination and motivation, and it’s not something that you should take lightly. And, if you prefer going for homeschooling, this comprehensive guide on homeschooling resources should come in handy. 

In fact, it’s something that you should be very careful about because if you fail at it, the entire endeavor is going to come crashing down.

On the other hand, it could also be the best way of learning English as second language. It’s a way to study in a manner that you are entirely comfortable with.

All that you need to do is to channel your sources of concentration and motivate yourself not to get distracted.

Final Thoughts

Understanding and being able to communicate in English is plainly quintessential.

There are no two opinions about this!

It’s just a matter of time for people to start integrating this as a general criterion for different requirements. This is the main reason for which you shouldn’t waste your time and start learning it if you haven’t already.

The more you postpone it, the worse it becomes.

As we grow older, learning new languages is definitely not as easy as you think. You can take a look at SpellQuiz website and get started. It has the richest quizzes collection on spelling lesson. You can also try having fun with Spelling Bee online game. 

Just hearing the words spelling test can cause students to groan in despair. Yet spelling test is a hugely valuable learning tool that doesn’t have to be a chore, students are often afraid of spelling practice!

Literacy skills are interrelated, with reading, spelling, and writing all influencing each other.

If one is aspect neglected, then all of them suffer.

Teaching methods for literacy have changed over the decades, with the emphasis shifting between the different skills and spelling practice.

The most prominent type of spelling test in the modern day is probably the Spelling Bee.

It not only receives national television coverage in the U.S. but also supports a huge industry offering scholarships and cash prizes to competition winners.

Spelling bee tournaments show the glamorous side of spelling. Check out this article from a Spelling Bee champion himself.

But for most students, spelling tests can be a real struggle.

How Can Parents Help the Kids with Better Spelling Practice?

The first step is to find out what’s really going on in our schools. It is essential to how teachers teach spelling and what educators suggest for better spelling practice.

So let’s take a look at the methods and history of teaching and testing spelling.

Let’s hope that you can make an informed decision about your child’s needs.

Types of Spelling Tests

There are four main types of a spelling test, each of which focuses on a different skill:

Oral tests

Students are given the word by the teacher to spell out loud.

It is the format we’ve seen in spelling bee competitions and requires students to spell each word individually, often in front of an audience.

This puts a lot of pressure on spellers, especially on those who lack confidence, as mistakes are very public.

Aural tests

Students listen to the teacher read a word, and then write it down.

Typically, the teacher will just read a list of individual words that a student has to spell. Although, they may also choose a read a dictation test passage to include full sentences and punctuation in the test.

Proofreading tests

Students are given a written text to read, with mistakes in spelling.

As they read the passage, students try to correct any spelling mistakes they find.

Proofreading tests aim to present learners with language in context.

It often relies on the passive acquisition of spelling skills, focusing on reading ability rather than direct spelling techniques.

Multiple-choice tests

Several alternative spelling options are presented for a word, with students made to choose the correct one.

These tests are often based on a reading text and can be useful to check the knowledge of homophones.

Sometimes, students choose the right spelling of two words that are pronounced the same way but differ in spelling and meaning.

Nevertheless, they don’t require a student to apply spelling practice actively. The methods tend to focus more on reading, with only an indirect spelling component.

Development of Spelling Practice and Tests Over Time

Literacy education for the masses is a relatively new development in human civilization, with only about a century or two of history.

Despite this short time span, approaches to teaching reading and writing have changed significantly over the years.

Just like any other industry, schooling is subject to fashions that come and go.

Methods for spelling practice are no exception!

Parents and educators start to question modern theories and turning back to traditional approaches.

Let’s have a brief look at the development of spelling practice over the last hundred and fifty years:

Memorization and Rote Lists

Much of the formal spelling education in the 1800s and early 1900s was taken from spelling books. Typically, they contained lists of words for students to memorize.

One of the first and most influential books for teaching spelling was the “Blue-backed Speller.”

It is a masterpiece by Noah Webster, author of the classic Webster’s Dictionary.

Such texts aimed to teach pronunciation, grammar, and reading as well as spelling.

The major drawback was that the presented vocabulary wasn’t graded or tailored to different reading levels.

So, the beginners faced high-level and complex vocabulary even before they could master the basics. For example, a child should only be exposed to 8th grade vocabulary words after successful completion of 7th grade vocabulary words. 

Noah arranged words in seemingly random lists or listed in alphabetical order. However, it didn’t regard a student’s prior learning.

Learners had to memorize words by rote!

Also,  they had to fulfill the demanding task of learning grammar, meaning and concepts at the same time as trying to memorize spellings.

Lists Arranged by Word Frequency

Webster continued to revise his spelling books and eventually came to arrange his lists by frequency of use and spelling patterns.

However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that educators arranged words by difficulty and learning level. 

The trend of arranging words in order of the frequency of use became more popular. 

But why?

Now, students were able to develop their spelling ability for core vocabulary items. Before, they learned obscure and complicated words that they would hardly recognize let alone apply in their daily lives.

So, you should ask your kids to have a better grasp at these sight words as these are the most commonly seen words in the English language. Then, they should gradually be introduced to adult vocabulary words. 

Changing Trends in Spelling Practice: The Revolution Had Started! 

Up until this point, students simply learned spelling patterns by writing, repetitive re-writing, and rote memorization of vocabulary.

Try this vocabulary tester to understand your current skill level!

However, that changed as new theories emerged about the best way to learn how to spell a word.

To meet the individual needs of each child, teachers asked students to create their own notebooks to record words.

Another approach was to ask students to write words exactly three times.

So that they can create a visual memory of the letter forms and overall “shape” of the word.

It was found that any more than three repetitions at a time for each word was actually discouraging for students and counterproductive to learning.

It was during this era that the famous “look, say, cover, write, check” study method was invented.  

There are a few variations of this technique, but the basic procedure is that students

• First, look at the word,
• Say the word aloud,
• Cover it with their hand or a piece of paper,
• Spell the word verbally,
• Write it, and
• Finally, uncover it to check whether spelled it correctly.

Around the 1950s-60s, educators started to question traditional testing methods. Mainly because students had to memorize up to 50 new words per week for a quiz.

It was suggested that students should take more control of their own learning. The idea was to give them a balance of old and new words for them to practice per week.

Thus was born the “test-teach-test” approach.

In this method, students took a test on Monday.

For example, then given time during the week to practice the material, and tested again on the same material on Friday.

This allows students to recognize their existing knowledge and focus only on the areas in which they made mistakes. Also, it provided encouragement as students can clearly see their progress from week to week.

Researchers discovered that the best results were produced by several short practice sessions between tests, rather than one long lesson.

Recognizing Patterns in Language

These days, it seems obvious that we can observe phonemic patterns in English whereby the pronunciation and spelling of words are related.

For example, we can look at the letter “a” and recognize both its associated sound as well as its visual shape.

While there were some early proponents of a phonemic approach for teaching in the 19th century, other educators didn’t think it should be taught at all.

A 1984 U.S. National Academy of Education report found that using such a system, dubbed phonics, improved students ability to identify words.

Although mainly intended to teach reading, students were now instructed to “sound it out!” in case they were unsure.

Phonics can be used to teach words (and letters) in isolation but also allows for the use of context and longer texts.

An Integrative System: Looking at Language in Context

From the 1980s until the current day, a new approach to literacy education has become influential. Finally, we actually got an approach that dispenses with formal spelling practice altogether.

According to this integrative system, spelling, reading, grammar, and punctuation shouldn’t be taught as separate functions

In fact, it shouldn’t be acknowledged at all.

Instead, they should be assimilated into texts which present the information in a natural way. So that students can “absorb” these literacy skills through exposure rather than explicit instruction or study.

This theory purports that learning to spell should come from a rich engagement with language in use, with only some guidance from a teacher.

Dispensing with standard written and oral spelling tests, students are instead given texts to proofread.

Unfortunately, research has found that proofreading is extremely difficult for students. Especially, if they lack a solid spelling foundation on which to build their proofreading skills.

Teachers also present “authentic” vocabulary relevant to the content of other subjects. Thus, the motto, “learning in context” became the ideal way to learn.

Many of these vocabulary items are low-frequency. However, a study suggests that the historic focus on high-frequency words may be more useful in the long term.

It’s true that familiarizing themselves with words in context provides students with a good framework to identify words.

However, they often forget this information without the addition of directed instruction.

Bringing Back Traditional Methods

After three decades of integrative systems which seek to omit spelling from school curriculums, teachers and parents are starting to notice that children simply can’t spell.

California has been among the world leaders of integrative literacy education, even going so far as to ban spelling books from the required textbook list in 1987.

But just seven years later, in 1994, the state’s literacy proficiency scores had dropped to become one of the worst in the U.S.

Although the integrative system claims that the traditional use of spelling books “just doesn’t work,” research suggests that old-fashioned spelling work may actually be more effective than modern scholars give it credit for.

A 2010 report by the Carnegie Foundation found that direct spelling instruction improves reading ability.

Spelling educator and author J. Richard Gentry Ph.D. suggests that parents and teachers go “back to basics” and bring clear spelling instruction and testing back into mainstream education.

What SpellQuiz Has Learned from a Century of Spelling Education

Educational theories often seem to gravitate to extremes, but the most effective way to teach and test spelling is surely a combination of various methodologies.

Rather than allowing teachers to use only one approach, the ideal spelling education must surely combine a mixup of everything.

To develop well-rounded, literate children and adults, it can only make sense to capitalize on every aspect of spelling and its related skills.

At SpellQuiz, we recognize the role of context in natural language forms for word identification through spelling exercise. But we don’t neglect phonics or basic repetition.

The more times a student practice to spell a word, the more likely they remember it, and spelling success relies on the high-frequency input to build a strong foundation for later challenges.

Many of the problems related to traditional testing methods arise from inappropriate vocabulary choice, with low-frequency, difficult words chosen where a thorough grounding in more basic words would actually produce far better results.

Researchers have found that when students practice with words of an appropriate level, their learning success improves significantly.

The SpellQuiz system of dividing words between grade-level standards provides the perfect framework for students to stop stressing and love learning to spell.

Now you can take part in online Spelling Bee too! Check out the SBO section on Spellquiz today!

Have you ever heard characters in WWII films saying things like alpha company or people in Vietnam War movies referring to the Vietcong as Charlie? Then you’re already familiar with the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

You’ve probably heard this code being used in war movies,  on TV cop shows or even in video games like Call of Duty.

Did you know that civilians can use the NATO Phonetic Alphabet in their everyday lives?

The system arose in a military context, but there’s no reason it has to stay the hands of specialists exclusively.

Have a look at our previous article for full background on the NATO Phonetic Alphabet.

But now let’s take the code words into the world of civilians and examine the many ways we can use it on a daily basis.

Teaching Children to Read and Write Using Phonetic Alphabet 

A military code may not seem like the most accessible way for children to learn how to read and write.

However, the NATO Phonetic Alphabet can actually benefit your children in a few ways. Even can ensure better scores in the exams! Especially, kids who are just entering middle school should be aware of the NATO phonetic words even before starting the dictation for class 5 practices. 

The code words are acrophonic. It means that the name of each letter also begins with that letter.

For example, the code word “Alpha” stands for the letter A, and it also starts with the letter A. The word “Bravo” then beings with the letter B and so on.

Some languages have acrophonic alphabets, such as Greek, which includes letter names like “alpha,” “beta,” “delta” and “gamma.”

Unfortunately, English doesn’t use this system. 

In fact, many of the letter names sound extremely similar. Just look for example at these ones: b, c, d, e, g, p, t, v, z.

All of those letters have names that sound almost identical!

This can present a real challenge to those who are trying to master the English alphabet for the first time.

Children can also find it tricky to distinguish the letter name from the phoneme (sound).

If you show them the letter A, for example, they may be unsure whether to call it “ay” or “a” as in “apple”.

How Can the NATO Phonetic Alphabet Help?

Using acrophonic codewords can be used for phoneme reinforcement. It can even strengthen the mental connection between a letter’s name and its sound.

Many teachers and parents already teach systems like A is for apple, B is for ball, and so on.

But using code words can really add some fun to reading and writing practice.

Children learn through play, and using games based on codewords is sure to engage kids in phoneme identification.

Why not do dictation exercises where you read out code words, in order for them to discover a hidden message?

For example, use a dictation such as “Romeo Echo Alpha Delta India November Gold, India Sierra, Foxtrot Uniform November”

Now, have the children write down the letters to find their hidden meaning.

Can you imagine the joy of the children when they find the answer – Read English?!

Children could then design their own messages to communicate with each other. They would be strengthening their reading ability without even realizing it!

Communicating Internationally

The world is getting smaller and smaller. 

Now, globalization is making it not only possible but also essential for many people to communicate across borders and even across languages.

Worldwide trade and telecommunications mean that people are doing business with partners in different countries. They often need to communicate in a second language.

Call center staff might conduct marketing or customer service to people hundreds of miles away.

English has filled the role of the dominant international language. But it’s easy for communications breakdowns to occur, especially with different regional accents involved and a lack of visual cues over the phone.

Using a standardized code such as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet can help people to avoid miscommunications.

Spelling out a message or trying to record somebody’s personal information would be much simpler.

Clear Communication over the Phone

How often do you order a take-out dinner over the phone?

Most people have ordered a pizza to be delivered to their house before. But over the last few years, home food deliveries have exploded with companies picking up your meal from your choice of restaurant.

But with all these deliveries, how often does a meal go missing because the staff misheard your address?

The Home Shopping Network is a massive business, with callers placing thousands of orders over the phone every hour.

Making any kind of delivery order over the phone can be a risk when you are trying to communicate personal information which can be easily misspelled, such as your address or even your name.

The days are gone when people would just take a stroll to the local stores to do their shopping; research shows that up to 79 percent of Americans now shop online.

The truth is that products bought online are no better than ones purchased in shops, but if you have a problem with an item, you can’t just wander down to the place you bought it and talk to the manager.

Actually, the use of phonetic alphabets such as the NATO one is having a bit of resurgence nowadays, as online shoppers are spending more time on the phone with customer service staff.

Business ranging from banks to insurance providers are all operating less and less in-person and increasingly online or over the phone.

Spelling Matters!

You sure don’t want your name misspelled on an insurance policy bank statement!

Spelling quiz is an extremely important skill to master.

Try this vocabulary tester to understand your current skill level!

Moreover, try these spelling tests to master English spelling!

Phonetic alphabets were first invented to make radio communication clearer and the principle applies equally to speaking over the telephone. 

Background noise, poor signals and the inability to actually see somebody’s mouth forming words, all make it easy for miscommunications to occur.

It’s always a good idea to spell out your personal information using the NATO Phonetic Alphabet, or a similar acrophonic alphabet to make sure your details are taken correctly.

 The NATO Phonetic Alphabet: Clear Communication Everyday

Whether you’re teaching your children to read, doing business across the globe or just trying to order a pizza, the NATO Phonetic Alphabet has relevance to everyone’s daily lives.

But why stop there?

You can use NATO code words to make taxi booking over the phone, take telesales orders, leave clear voicemails, or even just show off your skills as a WWII movie buff. 

The possibilities are endless; any time there is a need for clear communication, the NATO Phonetic Alphabet is there to help. Most of these words come from simple day-to-day words. Experts call these words sight words and these words comprise of about 60% of the written words. 

So, you should ask your kids to have a better grasp at these sight words as these are the most commonly seen spelling words list in the English language. 

Now you can take part in online Spelling Bee too! Check out the SBO section on Spellquiz today!

Spelling test time can be one of the most anxiety-provoking parts of the school day. Especially for those students who naturally struggle with spelling.

The English language is a complicated one since English spelling cannot be learned by logic.

The fact that there is no consistent connection between the phonemes and graphemes in words makes spelling a difficult concept to learn and to teach.

As we are moving into the twenty-first century, ever-changing technology and outdated methods for teaching spelling mean we as teachers (and as parents) must change the way we approach spelling with children.

Fear of Spelling Test among the Students

As an elementary teacher, I have had the pleasure of teaching students from many different backgrounds and with a range of learning abilities.

Some of my former students could pass a spelling test before they were ever given a list.

Others would fail their spelling test even after they had studied the words for days.

Some students find taking online spelling tests challenging while several liked to type out their words. 

I definitely prefer online English dictation tests as a teacher since they are easier to read (no messy handwriting) and much quicker to grade. Try this vocabulary quiz online to understand your current skill level!

Interestingly, some of my students were weak in spelling but very strong in other areas.

Others, however, struggled with the English language as a whole.

There are many reasons why spelling is such a tough concept for students and a few of them will be addressed below.

But knowing the whys behind English spelling test trouble isn’t enough.

As parents and educators, we have to know and how to help children improve their spelling skills so that anxiety is reduced and the children can excel.

Why English Spelling is So Difficult?

The English language is one that makes no sense at times.

There are many oddities that are found in English that can be confusing to both Native and ESL speakers.

For example, there is no ham in a hamburger and the word “set” has 464 definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Learning to speak English can seem difficult, but learning to spell may feel impossible.

So why is it that English words are so hard to spell out? The information below may provide some insight.

The English Language is a Melting Pot!

The English language is a linguistic melting pot, made up of words from many different languages.

Of the 171,476 words in current use, most are derived from Old and Middle English, Old Norse, Dutch, Greek, Latin and French.

Some of our words come from other or unknown languages and some are actually derived from the names of people and places in history.

There usually is no link between the topics or subjects.

For example, “kindergarten” is a German word while the term “book” comes from the Greek word “Byblos”.

Because English is so blended, in the early days of the English language (before the inventing of the printing press), there were many acceptable ways to spell a single word.

For example, “violence” was once spelled “vyolence” and “between” could be written as “bytwene” or “betwene.”

The word “beauty” had at least six acceptable spellings.

Various ways of spelling made it difficult to establish any English spelling system, leaving our early ancestors very lax about how to spell a word.

In fact, there was a time when spelling didn’t matter at all!

There Are No Real Rules!

So, it makes sense that with so many different origins of words, there are no traditional spelling rules that can be applied across the board with the English language.

Even the rules that most of us were taught in school like “i before e, except after c” don’t apply all of the time.

What about the word “neighbor” or “weight” or “weird?”

There are so many exceptions to the rules that I’ve often wondered as a teacher if it’s even worth teaching these “rules” at all.

Because of this, most English spelling test words have to be memorized, which can be difficult for many students. However, kids can benefit a lot by trying spelling tricks to play on friends. It eases up the hardship of learning. 

Same Sound, Different Ways of Spelling

Another thing that makes correct spelling difficult is that there can be several ways to spell not only the same word but the same sound.

Well-meaning teachers often dictate sentences to students for them to spell with no background knowledge or discussion of same-sound differences.

This can lead to even more spelling confusion.

Take a look at the sentence “We will wait to take a break until after we sell eight cupcakes at today’s bake sale.”

Though this sentence seems simple enough to read, the “long a” sound is spelled five different ways here.

Talk about confusing! But you can solve the issue by helping them with simple spelling activities for kids. 

How We Can Help Struggling Spellers?

As a teacher, I’ve often wondered how I can really ‘teach’ students to spell when it is a concept I’ve never been taught myself.

I’m a naturally good speller (though I only placed 5th in my elementary spelling bee).

It’s difficult to teach students a concept that doesn’t have a process to follow.

For several years I did what my teachers did growing up.

I sent home a spelling list on Monday and expected the kids to know the words by Friday.

Trying to shake things up a bit, on Thursday I would give an “early” spelling test and if a student didn’t pass it, I would send home an updated list for study.

Some weeks I got real “fancy” and had students write their words over and over again in different color markers.

When they struggled, I would help them “sound it out.”

But some of my students still failed their tests and brought their papers home in tears.

I wish that I would have realized sooner that “this” is not teaching.

The English language has 26 letters, these letters have about 44 sounds, and there are hundreds of ways to sound out these sounds.

Since only 50 percent of English words have a predictable sound.

Because of this, having kids “sound” out the words on their spelling tests just doesn’t work long term.

Writing them over and over also doesn’t work for some students.

I knew that the key to eliminating spelling test anxiety was to help my students improve their skills.

I just needed a way to do it.

Understand the “WHY” Behind the Difficulty

The first thing that I realized is that why a child struggles with spelling is extremely important.

In general, spelling troubles originate with language learning weaknesses.

As the International Dyslexia Association explains, “Poor spellers have trouble remembering the letters in words because they have trouble noticing, remembering, and recalling the features of language that those letters represent.

Children with ADHD and dyslexia often struggle with spelling as a small part of a much larger learning problem.

Some of these students will fail a spelling test no matter if it is an online spelling test, a paper one, or a spelling test that is read aloud.

This makes sense when you consider that scientific research suggests that spelling ability (or lack thereof) in inherited.

Tony Monaco, a scientist at Oxford University, believes that at least “60 percent of the variation in the ability to spell lies in our genes.

“This is because our brain’s wiring is inherited and ‘Some’ people have a stronger visual area and can easily see in their mind’s eye how a word is spell” (Wighton, 2008).

Other people have a stronger phonological area which makes them better at breaking down the words into individual sounds.

The understanding that everyone’s brain is slightly different – plays a great role!

Partnering with Technology

I realized that my old ways weren’t working anymore! I had to come up with a better way to help my students learn to spell.

This past school year, I got twenty-four new computers for my students to use during the school day.

Access to technology has slowly transformed my teaching in all areas, including spelling instruction.

But it didn’t happen just because of the computers, a systematic change paved the way.

Out with the Old, in with the New

First, I transitioned from paper to online spelling tests.

This helped my students who know how to spell the words but have trouble with penmanship focus on spelling the word correctly instead of worrying about handwriting.

Also, I began playing with test structure.

Instead of the traditional “call and write” assessments, I created tests that had different versions of a word (one spelled correctly and two misspelled) and instead of writing the word, the students had to circle the correct one.

This helps students who can “see” the word excel in spelling, even if they have struggled on traditional tests.

Knowing that they will probably do well on at least one part of the spelling test reduced test anxiety in my struggling students.

Pick up a Spelling Program

Another way to help students improve their spelling skills is through a technology-based program.

Early on in my search, I found that there are tons of spelling games online, but many aren’t age-appropriate or don’t have long-term spelling growth benefits.

It wasn’t until I began working with SpellQuiz on website content that I had my “aha” moment regarding spelling programs.

What drew me to SpellQuiz is that the content was developed by professional educators. They understand what words spelling words are most important and age-appropriate for students.

Another reason SpellQuiz is unique is its focus on building students’ ability to communicate through a self-paced phonetics learning system while reinforcing three other important skills: listening, writing, and reading using dictation.

With SpellQuiz, students listen to a dictated sentence and then type their response.

It is this intertwining of language skills that help students move from bad to great spellers (and great typists).

I also love that SpellQuiz moves from 1st grade spelling test through spelling test for adults.

This means that I can differentiate within the classroom and help my weaker students as well as my advanced.

No longer do I have a “one size fits all” spelling list but you could see grade by grade spelling words lists.

Instead, I can assign students words based on their own personal abilities and add in other assignments while they are working on the program.

For example, if I see a student struggling with a particular word/sentence over and over, I might have them take a moment to draw a picture related to the sentence and then write the spelling words inside of the picture.

This can help students make much-needed connections to words. So, you should ask your kids to have a better grasp at these sight words as these are the most common words in the English language. 

Final Thoughts

Spelling can be a tough concept to teach.

Without background knowledge of the English language and spelling practices, parents and teacher often choose outdated techniques. These techniques simply don’t work while the children continue to fail their spelling tests.

This can create anxiety in the minds of children who surely want to be “good spellers.”

Using a computer-based program along with differentiated spelling lists can be the key to changing how spelling looks in your home or classroom.

About Author

Mary Elizabeth Dean is a mother to four (five if you count her puppy Iris) and an elementary school teacher.  She has a Bachelor’s in education, an MBA, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.  Then, She has spent the last six years teaching all subjects (including spelling) to 9 and 10-year-olds in Louisiana.  She balances her life as a mom and educator with her love for helping foster children as a CASA advocate.  Her passions include writing, genealogy research, and Friday night bingo with anyone who will tag along.  Summer vacations, fall football games, and afternoon naps give her life.

Would you like to work on improving your own listening skills for work or social purposes?

Learning to listen is more than just hearing the words.

The definition of listening might be tough even if it sounds too simple. Listening is about fully absorbing the content of the words and being able to interpret specific tones and phonemics to understand the message being delivered.

In other words, proper English listening skills require knowledge as well as wisdom.

When your child has trouble listening, it can cause them to have more challenges during the process of learning and communicating.

SpellQuiz targets this problem by offering the ability to perform a listening skills activity that’s specifically designed for each individual.

SpellQuiz is ideal for parents with children who are struggling with listening skills at school or during their homework sessions.

The listening skills practice techniques from SpellQuiz can also improve your child’s general communication and social skills.

The lessons are beneficial for anyone who hasn’t had very much luck developing their literacy skills with traditional methods (listening alone without typing and spelling).

SpellQuiz offers spelling and listening skill exercises and tests for grades 1-12 as well as an adult. If you are a Spelling Bee enthusiast, we might have a different set of practice sessions for your intense training.  

Now you can take part in online Spelling Bee too! Check out the SBO section on Spellquiz today! This game is exceptionally helpful for those looking for list of spelling bee words. 

Everyone of any age group can benefit from using SpellQuiz for improving listening skills, knowledge, and abilities.

What Sets SpellQuiz Apart from Other Listening Skills Websites?

Every listening skills test and listening skills activity on SpellQuiz is not your typical boring lecture.

Each listening skills exercise is designed to be engaging, interesting, and relevant to the target age group.

For example, you wouldn’t expect a 1st grader to listen to something about taxes.

Alternatively, you would want your 8th grader to learn how to appropriately talk about science or social studies topics.

SpellQuiz’s listening skills activities for younger grades. The young minds are delicate – they cannot have fun if they are introduced to tougher spellings at first. The platform aims to develop their skills gradually so that learn with fun.

The first-grader study material should reflect on their abilities. 

Try this English vocabulary test to understand your current skill level!

Aside from teaching engaging and useful content, the exercises and tests on SpellQuiz are designed to target the exact area that you or your child need to improve on.

This is done by analyzing your scores on various topics and telling you which sections you should keep practicing with.

SpellQuiz is a tool for reducing frustration as your child learns English.

Sometimes, it can be really annoying and disheartening when you just can’t understand something.

Assess Yourself – Set Your Own Goals!

SpellQuiz uses simple yet efficient methods for tests and activities that are straightforward and gradual yet structured.

 One of the greatest things about SpellQuiz is the student’s opportunity to self-pace with each lesson.

You can go as fast or slow as you need to, and there is no rush when it comes to advancing to more challenging content.

The unique learning system of SpellQuiz uses self-motivation to guide the student rather than force them in a certain direction.

If you’re a parent, you can sign up to receive continuously updated reports on your child’s progress.

This will allow you to access where they need improvement and give you the chance to help them in a way that truly makes a difference.

Why Should You Start Right Now?!

No matter how old you are or what your educational level is, everyone can use some improvement when it comes to listening skills.

Are you looking for an affordable online learning service? What about something that will actually bring you benefits in the form of value and progress?

Why not use an efficient and fun phonetics learning system that can successfully improve your listening skills?

SpellQuiz will provide that for you.

SpellQuiz is easy and free to sign up for a trial.

Your monthly subscription will give you full access to a variety of listening skills activities and weekly reports with summaries.

Whether you’re looking to use the services for yourself, your children, or as a gift, SpellQuiz can help to enhance and sharpen the listening skills of children, teenagers, and adults of all ages.