English is often referred to as a difficult language to master and one of the most tricky parts that people encounter is spelling. With a new word added to the dictionary every two hours, would you find it surprising that even native English speakers find English spelling confusing?
There are many reasons as to why English language spelling is challenging, especially to non-native English speakers. One of them is because a lot of words from the English language are “borrowed” from other languages. There are spelling ‘rules’ which need to be followed, too. For example, the word “phase” sounds like it should start with an ‘f’, and the word “know” surely doesn’t sound like it should start with a ‘k’.
It may seem like spelling is too difficult but it is possible for you to improve on it. The tips and tricks in this article should help you make some progress.
1. Learn the rules
Learning the rules of English spelling may be easier said than done. Identifying common patterns and combinations of letters so that you can begin to guess how a word might be spelled is a good starting point to work on improving your spelling skills. You can start with words ending in “-een”, “-ough”, and “-tion”, or words beginning with a silent K or G, and even homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings and/or spellings). If you want to know more about English language spelling rules you can check out the links below.
Fundamental Spelling Rules for Everyone to Know (yourdictionary.com)
Top 4 Spelling Rules With Their Exceptions (thoughtco.com)
2. Master prefixes and suffixes
Prefixes are letters added in front of a word to form a new word that changes the meaning (e.g. dis-, in-, un-, post-, pre-). While suffixes are letters added after a word to change its meaning (e.g. -er, -or, -ful, -less, -ment).
Practice with a list of must-know suffixes to learn how to spell common word endings and then move on to essential prefixes.
3. Read every day
Reading is always a fun way to learn new things. Being exposed to English words on a regular basis makes it easier to learn spelling and to gain new knowledge. Aside from this, reading can help you improve your vocabulary too. So grab a book that interests you and get started! It might be helpful to start reading an English version of a book that you’ve previously read in your native language, that way you are already familiar with the plot and setting, and can be more attentive to learning and absorbing English spelling.
4. Make a list of commonly misspelled words
Write down words that you have trouble spelling – even simple ones! And then figure out why you’re having a hard time with them and then study the rules.
Having a cheat sheet when coming across words with unusual spelling can be beneficial whilst you are still learning.
5. Watch English movies/series with subtitles
A fun way to improve your spelling is to watch English movies with the subtitles on. Not only does watching English movies or series help with improving your spelling skills, it also helps you broaden your vocabulary.
You can pause the movie if you encounter a word that seems unfamiliar or hard for you to spell and jot it down in your notes.
6. Do crossword puzzles
Another fun exercise to improve your spelling is completing crossword puzzles. In order to successfully complete a crossword puzzle, spelling needs to be correct. So, by doing this regularly, you’ll start to be more familiar with English spelling patterns and soon you’ll find yourself making fewer spelling mistakes! Further, this exercise will help you increase your vocabulary.
7. Use a good dictionary
Make use of a reliable and updated dictionary. Memorising alone will not always be reliable, so checking your dictionary should be your go-to. Aside from this, checking your dictionary can also help you with word meanings.
If you’re using an online dictionary, always ensure that your spell-check dictionary is set to the correct language and regional variation of the language if necessary. But don’t rely on it exclusively as it sometimes won’t record who’s as a misspelling of whose, for example.
8. Write frequently
Writing in English is as important as reading. If you don’t use the spellings you learn, you’ll forget them eventually. Try looking for opportunities to write. You can create an online blog (which is free online) and write about the topics that interest you, such as reviews of movies or series that you've finished recently. The more you use the words you’ve learned in your writing, the more confident you will become.
9. Engage with an English Tutor
All the tools and tips mentioned above can certainly assist with improving your spelling skills. However, if you wish to fast-track your learning, engaging a qualified and experienced English tutor is the next best step. When engaged with an English tutor, you can be given individualised attention to cater to your specific learning needs, as well as immediate feedback on any errors that have been made.
ESL Tutoring Services
ESL Tutoring Services provides high quality English as a Second Language (ESL) training and tuition with highly qualified and experienced ESL tutors based in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. All of our tutors have a University Degree, TESOL or CELTA qualification along with professional experience teaching and business backgrounds. With a team of highly experienced ESL tutors, you’ll be able to achieve the best learning outcomes and your full potential at work or in any aspect of your life.
To book a class with us, get in touch with us through email: info@esltutoringservices.com or call 1300 137 186.
