Improve Your Spelling
Unfortunately the English language is one of the toughest to master. This is mainly due to the massive number of words which have been brought in from other languages and rule exceptions that have been created. In English, there are more than 1,100 ways in which to spell 44 sound types, this explains the problems with mastering the spelling of different words. However, there are certain rules that you can follow to polish your spelling expertise.
The first rule is to be a compulsive reader of books, magazines and anything else you can get your hands on. This is the most helpful way to master the spelling of English words because each time you read a particular word your memory of how to spell it improves. This is because spelling is based on how a word appears on the writing page. Obviously, you have to make sure that what you are looking at is utilizing the correct spelling.
To supplement the effect of reading a lot, you can jot down in a notebook words that you have trouble remembering. Instead of reading a list of the often misspelled words, you can have your own list that is distinctly tailored to your needs.
Since spelling is no more than memory work, another way to refine your spelling is to utilize mnemonics, which are strategies to aid your memory. Mnemonics use images and patterns as a memory aid.
Meanwhile, writing is another great way to commit the spelling of a word to your memory. Using the words that you have added to your notebook, you can craft sentences including those words to make it more likely that you will retain the proper spelling. Unlike with reading books, there are some dangers in writing. You may commit to memory the wrong spelling. To side step this issue, which could be hard to counteract further down the track, you must make sure that each word you write is spelt correctly. One way to achieve this is with a spell checker, an alternative method is to let somebody else read what you have written.
Lastly, you need to become competent in the basic rules of spelling, such as using "i" before "e" except after "c." Once again, this is memory work and improvement can only be attained through continual practice.
The first rule is to be a compulsive reader of books, magazines and anything else you can get your hands on. This is the most helpful way to master the spelling of English words because each time you read a particular word your memory of how to spell it improves. This is because spelling is based on how a word appears on the writing page. Obviously, you have to make sure that what you are looking at is utilizing the correct spelling.
To supplement the effect of reading a lot, you can jot down in a notebook words that you have trouble remembering. Instead of reading a list of the often misspelled words, you can have your own list that is distinctly tailored to your needs.
Since spelling is no more than memory work, another way to refine your spelling is to utilize mnemonics, which are strategies to aid your memory. Mnemonics use images and patterns as a memory aid.
Meanwhile, writing is another great way to commit the spelling of a word to your memory. Using the words that you have added to your notebook, you can craft sentences including those words to make it more likely that you will retain the proper spelling. Unlike with reading books, there are some dangers in writing. You may commit to memory the wrong spelling. To side step this issue, which could be hard to counteract further down the track, you must make sure that each word you write is spelt correctly. One way to achieve this is with a spell checker, an alternative method is to let somebody else read what you have written.
Lastly, you need to become competent in the basic rules of spelling, such as using "i" before "e" except after "c." Once again, this is memory work and improvement can only be attained through continual practice.
