According to informal surveys, our teachers hardly teach students the skills of learning to spell; yet they frequently give Spelling tests.
Many teachers have limited knowledge of Spelling Skills, but somehow, they do not seem to feel the need to find out more.
I recently came across a forum on a New York-based website where this question was posted: 'How do you teach Spelling in elementary schools?'
Besides a suggestion on using sign language and another on practising 'chanting the words', the rest of the replies revolved around the conventional methods of rote-memory and using phonics.
Actually, there are many non-conventional methods of teaching Spelling Skills.
I had conducted a couple of Family Learning Workshops in which I shared more than ten multi-sensory methods (that tap on children's Multiple Intelligences) of learning to spell with parents and children. The children responded positively to the activities and enjoyed learning to spell. However, I observed that the co-ordinating teacher seemed to be the only one who managed to 'grasp the essence' of the methods that were introduced. Many parents found the methods innovative, fun and creative, but because they did not have the teaching background to understand how children learn, they were unsure of how to help their children apply the methods effectively. The following comment from a parent spoke it all: "How would the children have sufficient time to use the methods to spell in the examinations?"
I had incorporated some of the Spelling Skills into a number of Kindergarten 1 and 2 lesson plans. Perhaps MOE should consider allowing interested school teachers access to the lessons to pick up the skills.
P/S: I had conducted a course on teaching K2 children Spelling Skills at CDAC's Service Centre - Tampines branch.
The course outline is as follows:
This programme uses innovative and creative ways, as well as conventional methods, to teach spelling skills.
The non-conventional methods allow children to tap on their other intelligences (e.g. visual, bodily kinaesthetic, musical, etc.) to acquire the essential skills in interesting and effective ways.
Objectives:
Children will