Met a friend recently. He lamented that his son, aged past 10 - could not spell (in English of course) properly. My answer, what's the problem?
What's spelling for? What do people need to learn to spell and memorize words? What's language for?
Passing examinations? Some will think so. Some will think it is important for a job in the future?
I feel language is a tool for communication. A tool to express the thoughts, feelings and emotions of an individual. It is also to express the ideas and exchange them, and from there to be able to learn more. To further improve those ideas. So, do we deal with learning how to express one's ideas and feelings first or learn to spell first?
So, let's not worry about about language and spelling first - let them express in words, in drawing, music, dance, whatever. Allow them the space to come up with ridiculous ideas, let them find out how they can be changed and gradually they will see the need to improve on their spelling. Children (even adults) needs to see purpose in their learning - help them find it.
If all else fails, there's the spell checker on your PC ;-)
Good luck!
4 comments:
It's OK if you're homeschooling and there are no benchmarks to meet. I guess that is how the stereotype that homeschoolers are "boh tak chek" comes from.
But if you're in any kind of standardized curriculum from the lowest denomination to the highest, spelling counts.
But then again, parents shouldn't blame their kids for not being able to spell well. Kids who don't spell well usually model after either one of their parents (nothing personal) unless the other parent makes a conscious effort to teach spelling rules. It's normal for kids to not be able to spell well in English as they played by ear. But by a certain age I made an effort to teach Thea spelling rules. I still have lots to teach her in terms of punctuation, syntax,etc in order for her to write at a level expected of EAL proficiency.
Most English speakers especially middle-class EAL (English as Another Language) speakers pick up language by ear while not going through the opportunity to learn literacy in an actual native-speaker formal educational setting.
So in terms of literacy they are sometimes neither here nor there. You can comment back to your friend that anyone who understands spelling rules will be able to spell flawlessly. With a little help his son should be able to be a spelling whiz. When all else fails, there's spell-check.
The problem doesn't stop with spelling. Many people don't know proper punctuation and when and where a comma or other punctuations are supposed to be placed with what function.
Usually, the school's spelling list will easily have ten or more words on the list. Not every child can spell well. It took me three whole months of solid spelling practice (ie we practise once every alternate day, five words a time and with that, he can only get one or two right) before he gets the hang of it and builds his confidence.
Once the brain clicks, there is no stopping the child. So just be patient, continue to input and practise, five words a week and gradually increase. YOu can also start with three. Have an incentive eg, collect stars if he get more than half correct and gradually increase his passing mark.....
Spelling is not about memorizing - it's about being able to decode a word. The decoding systems vary from language to language. I'm assuming we're talking about English spelling. Many people assume they can't spell well in English without realizing English is a very inconsistent, flawed language.
I should know - I teach it :D.
Language is about communication. Spelling is an accepted "code" for that communication. If you can't spell words, how can you communicate? Others will not be able to decode what you are trying to say.
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