Spellings

We consider spelling this an integral skill in our English classes. By equipping students to spell correctly, we are enhancing their communication abilities by ensuring they are never misunderstood due to something so fundamental.

Why it Matters

In the age of automatic spellcheckers, you might think there is no longer a need to have a strong grasp of English spelling. And yet, nothing could be further from the truth. It is as important today as it has ever been.

Consider university applications and job searches. Competition for limited openings requires applicants to produce well-written CVs, cover letters, applications, and essays. Crucial to them all is proper spelling. In many cases, this can be the difference between getting a job or being accepted to university and being denied a coveted opportunity.

A 2015 study conducted among UK employers tells the story. Approximately 37% of those surveyed reported being unhappy with the current state of English skills and literacy among high school and university graduates. The truth is that spellcheckers are limited. They cannot account for grammatical mistakes (e.g., using the word ‘there’ instead of ‘their’), among other things. There is no electronic substitute for good spelling skills which is where our english classes come in.

Spelling at Super Maths & English

We include this in our weekly instruction through an integrated approach that introduces students to a list of 24 new words per week. Those words are memorised as part of the child’s homework. Words are selected according to the following criteria:

• Errors made in the previous week’s homework; and
• Confusing principles (e.g., silent letters and diphthongs).

The week following the introduction of a new spelling list, students are tested for memorisation. Test scores are recorded and provided to parents with the hope that they will work with their children to improve their skills through further practice.