Spelling success is quintessential for students to meet success in written and oral communication. According to some research, spelling success leads to fluency in reading and comprehension. Thus, teaching spelling is important.
Spelling tests are common in elementary education. Every week, elementary schools give students a list of words to memorize with a test once a week. The spelling list usually comprises common words with certain rules to achieve the correct letter sequence. Many schools are removing the spelling test and asking students to sound spell the words they write.
Spelling Success and Problems
With the elimination of spelling tests, students that struggle with spelling also struggle with reading and writing. Spelling, reading, and writing skills go hand-in-hand.
Some students are fine with spelling based on context and word recognition. Plus, a student’s use of technology makes spelling easy. Technology even corrects grammar. However, the words chosen by computers are not always reliable.
Correlation Between Spelling and Writing
Students are required to write sentences, paragraphs, and essays in class. As they write, they lose time and thought as they focus on spelling a word. Fluency in handwriting skills and spelling gives students time to plan, organize, and construct a paragraph or an essay.
Spelling is a complex subject. It is not about rote memorization. It is a skill that is learned. To be good spellers, students must understand letters and sounds, letter patterns that go together, and prefixes and suffixes. Today, communication is important and demands flexibility. Learning to spell means learning some rules.
In clear writing, students give a good impression to whoever is reading. Spelling errors creates a negative impression. Thus, learning to spell is important and the quality of communication is consequential.
Poor Spellers
Preparing students for the future is necessary. Thus, spelling affects the prospects of good grades and future jobs. As students write sentences, paragraphs, and essays, an understanding of the written word gets lost with incorrect spellings.
Students may depend on spell check to correct spelling errors, but that is not dependable. As students spell words correctly when writing, the focus stays on the meaning of the content.
Language develops as students learn how to spell. It is important for communication. Research suggests spelling is necessary. How to teach and deliver spelling words concerns many educators.
