Correct spelling is important. Some people are lucky – they find spelling easy. Unfortunately, most people have to work hard to ensure that their spelling is correct. If you are like the majority (myself included), then spelling is something you’ll have to work on all your life. But don’t worry – there are many people out there just like you.
The more effort you make, the better your spelling will be. And you must make this effort, because English spelling doesn’t follow a regular pattern.
Reading widely will help your spelling a great deal. You will subconsciously note how words should look on the page. So when a word is spelt wrongly, you automatically notice that it is not right. But the good news is that you don’t have to restrict yourself to classics or English text books. If English is not your first language these can seem difficult and daunting. Reading novels and books that you enjoy in English will also help you to develop your language skills, as will sites on the Internet that you might browse. So, next time you sit reading your favourite author, don’t feel guilty – you’re actually working to improve your English spelling!
And here’s one tip that many people have found helpful. To teach yourself how to spell a word that you find difficult to remember, write it out several times. As you write the word, read it aloud phonetically. This may sound quite different from how the word is really pronounced when spoken. Then, whenever you write the word in future, say it phonetically to yourself and you will find that you spell it correctly.
For example, take the word definitely. If you say it to yourself as def-i-nite-ly you will write it correctly, and not make the common mistake of spelling it defenitely.
At one time if you wanted to know the meaning of a word, or how to spell it correctly, you had to look it up in a dictionary – which meant going out and buying one. But now there are plenty of free online dictionaries. I like The Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary and Oxford Dictionaries (Language Matters) because in addition to the definitions, spelling and pronunciation of words there is a lot of additional information and resources. And if you use a dictionary regularly it will help you to improve both your spelling and your vocabulary.
Whatever you do, though, don’t rely on your computer spell check. It won’t correct you if you use their instead of there, two instead of to or which instead of witch. Plus it won’t tell you the meaning of words or show you how to pronounce them. Always run a spell check when you have finished a document, but then read it yourself carefully and check anything you are unsure of in a dictionary!
Finally, if you are enrolled on the Business English with Spoken English Diploma Course make sure you study the section on spelling closely and keep it to hand. As I said earlier, English spelling doesn’t follow a regular pattern but the rules and tips the course gives you will help enormously.
Diana Nadin
