The research in this project shows that spelling needs to be taught through patterns, rhymes and the use of analogies. Weekly spelling tests are effective to assess spelling patterns, instead of useing a pre-determined collection of random words. Additionally, spelling needs to be taught within writing, not as a completely separate subject.

This study investigated the effects of selected spelling teaching methods on spelling mastery of upper-elementary, learning disabled students. It also examined the value of assessing learning disabled students' modality preferences for diagnostic/prescriptive purposes.The study's significance is that it sought to (a) determine whether students classified as learning disabled can identify their preferred learning modes; (b) determine whether matching modes of instruction to students' modality reference(s) results in greater achievement; and (c) identify a systematic way of prescribing instruction for learning disabled students.

In 2 experiments, I tested the effects of a behavioral momentum blending procedure on the accuracy of component and composite textual and spelling responses emitted by 11 preschool students with disabilities, including autism and speech and language delays, using multiple probe designs across participants. The participants were between 3 and 4 years old and were selected to participate because they were receiving reading instruction, but they emitted low numbers of correct textual responses to words comprised of previously mastered phoneme-grapheme correspondences. Dependent measures in the experiment included blending responses to novel text stimuli, composite vocal blending responses in which no textual stimuli were used, and spelling responses. In addition, in Experiment 2, I tested the effects of the procedure on the reinforcing properties of textual stimuli. Prior to the intervention, the participants were taught to textually respond to a set of known, regular words comprised of up to five phonemic sounds represented by corresponding graphemes at a target rate (number per min). During the behavioral momentum blending intervention, participants responded to these words that were presented in rapid succession by the experimenter, followed by the immediate presentation of novel words. The experimenter provided a vocal model of the component phonemes which was systematically faded during each phase of the intervention. Results for Experiment 1 showed increases in textual, spelling, and vocal blending responses for five participants. In addition, results indicated that the participants textually responded to novel words and emitted more composite textual responses, or responses without emitting the component sounds prior to textually responding, when composite blending was modeled at the beginning of the probe session. In Experiment 2, I altered the intervention procedure to require composite only responding as a final step in the instructional sequence. Six new preschool students were selected to participate, and the dependent measures were the same as Experiment 1; however, I also tested for the presence of conditioned reinforcement for observing print prior to and following BMBI. Results showed significant effects for four of the participants following up to two phases of intervention but were less significant for two of the participants. Additionally, results indicated the establishment of conditioned reinforcement for observing print for the participants who textually responded at criterion level. These findings are discussed with regard to the educational significance of blending as a prerequisite for textual responding and the importance of the speaker-as-own-listener verbal repertoire in learning to read phonetically.

This study presents results from a project named The OVE-project (Orator Verbis Electris i.e. electric speech machine). The aim of this thesis is to describe and to evaluate a set of computer - programs based on synthetic speech. The programs are designed for training phonological awareness and are intended to be used as a remedial tool for children with reading and writing problems. During the evaluation and data-collecting period the project was economically and technically connected to the department of Speech, Music and Hearing at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. My associate, during this period, late Karoly Galyas has been in charge of the technical part of the project while I have been responsible for the content and the design of programs as well as for the evaluation and the assessment studies. The thesis has two overall aims. The first is to describe, analyze and discuss the development of a specific work process based on computer based supervising with synthetic speech feedback intended for children with reading and writing problems. The second overall aim is to describe, analyze and discuss the effect of the speech feedback and the specific work process on children with reading and writing problems. The evaluation and the data collection has been done within three different phases and consists of three training studies and two experimental studies: one text reproduction study and one spelling test study. The results showed very convincingly that the speech feedback had a positive effect on the pupils' self esteem. Activity and motivation were highly improved. A remarkable improvement of the pupils' ability to concentrate and persevere was observed. The results from the spelling test study showed high improvement rates when speech feedback in ongoing writing was used compared to handwriting and ordinary computer writing without speech feedback. The potentials of the synthetic speech feedback as a means to improve reading and writing skills is discussed. / digitalisering@umu

The social environment we live in today is exceptionally informal. In the past the type of language the learners used, as well as their spelling ability, gave an indication of the type of education they had received. In present times, it often occurs that people are judged according to their spelling ability to determine whether the specific person is suitable for a certain career. People only realise the importance of writing and spelling correctly once they have completed their studies and started working (often this is too late).This leads to distress and problem situations in universities and schools because learners cannot read and spell. Because of globalization, young people today regard English as the global language. This opens doors for them and the use of English is becoming easier. The result is that Afrikaans is also becoming more informal and this is expressed in the learners' writing and spelling ability. Learners' spelling therefore is atrocious. Decline in language and spelling usage is the result of little (or no) education in spelling in general and also because learners give so little attention to reading lately. Research indicates that students and learners experience the "no rules" of poor spelling (also due to SMS language) as a freeing experience and they do not realise the seriousness of speaking, writing and reading standard Afrikaans. The youth regard this era we live in as "cool" and they believe that it protects them against the embarrassment of poor spelling. A finger is often pointed at educators because learners can no longer read and spell. Educators complain that learners have a "couldn't care less" attitude towards correct spelling. Learners use a telegram style for writing, and poor spelling increasingly occurs in creative writing. They ruin their writing skills with bad spelling. Learners no longer have a general knowledge of spelling words and in this way their poor spelling skills are further weakened. "Upsetting spelling problems" originate because learners are not made aware of the phonemes of sounds from an early age and educators are ignorant of how to develop these awareness skills in learners. In the light of these statements one would expect that educators would have received the necessary guidance concerning spelling methods and strategies for teaching and educating spelling. However, the opposite is true as indicated in the literature, namely that educators often have to depend on their own experience to develop several aspects, for instance to develop phonemic awareness in learners so as to ensure success in spelling. Educators discuss learners, their own successes, etcetera but they never discuss the methods they use. The young and inexperienced educator must depend on book-knowledge, personal initiatives, trial and error as well as spontaneous methods to teach spelling. In this study, attention is focused on the link between phoneme awareness and the spelling ability of learners, especially in the Foundation Phase. To achieve the aim of this study the spelling ability of a group of Grade 3 learners was studied using various tests over a certain period of time. The results showed that learners who have no or very little phonemic awareness also do not possess the necessary spelling skills. This study indicates the importance of phonemic awareness as determinant for good spelling. Consequently a definite link exists between phonemic awareness and spelling. From the empirical study that was conducted it became very clear that the level of phonemic awareness and spelling achievement is determined by the education process and the involvement of the educator. Valid theoretical principles were discussed to highlight the necessity of this aspect. Language gatekeepers and educators, especially in the Foundation Phase, thus have an enormous task to develop phoneme awareness from an early age in learners so that they can become aware of the importance of correct spelling. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The social environment we live in today is exceptionally informal. In the past the type of language the learners used, as well as their spelling ability, gave an indication of the type of education they had received. In present times, it often occurs that people are judged according to their spelling ability to determine whether the specific person is suitable for a certain career. People only realise the importance of writing and spelling correctly once they have completed their studies and started working (often this is too late).This leads to distress and problem situations in universities and schools because learners cannot read and spell. Because of globalization, young people today regard English as the global language. This opens doors for them and the use of English is becoming easier. The result is that Afrikaans is also becoming more informal and this is expressed in the learners' writing and spelling ability. Learners' spelling therefore is atrocious. Decline in language and spelling usage is the result of little (or no) education in spelling in general and also because learners give so little attention to reading lately. Research indicates that students and learners experience the "no rules" of poor spelling (also due to SMS language) as a freeing experience and they do not realise the seriousness of speaking, writing and reading standard Afrikaans. The youth regard this era we live in as "cool" and they believe that it protects them against the embarrassment of poor spelling. A finger is often pointed at educators because learners can no longer read and spell. Educators complain that learners have a "couldn't care less" attitude towards correct spelling. Learners use a telegram style for writing, and poor spelling increasingly occurs in creative writing. They ruin their writing skills with bad spelling. Learners no longer have a general knowledge of spelling words and in this way their poor spelling skills are further weakened. "Upsetting spelling problems" originate because learners are not made aware of the phonemes of sounds from an early age and educators are ignorant of how to develop these awareness skills in learners. In the light of these statements one would expect that educators would have received the necessary guidance concerning spelling methods and strategies for teaching and educating spelling. However, the opposite is true as indicated in the literature, namely that educators often have to depend on their own experience to develop several aspects, for instance to develop phonemic awareness in learners so as to ensure success in spelling. Educators discuss learners, their own successes, etcetera but they never discuss the methods they use. The young and inexperienced educator must depend on book-knowledge, personal initiatives, trial and error as well as spontaneous methods to teach spelling. In this study, attention is focused on the link between phoneme awareness and the spelling ability of learners, especially in the Foundation Phase. To achieve the aim of this study the spelling ability of a group of Grade 3 learners was studied using various tests over a certain period of time. The results showed that learners who have no or very little phonemic awareness also do not possess the necessary spelling skills. This study indicates the importance of phonemic awareness as determinant for good spelling. Consequently a definite link exists between phonemic awareness and spelling. From the empirical study that was conducted it became very clear that the level of phonemic awareness and spelling achievement is determined by the education process and the involvement of the educator. Valid theoretical principles were discussed to highlight the necessity of this aspect. Language gatekeepers and educators, especially in the Foundation Phase, thus have an enormous task to develop phoneme awareness from an early age in learners so that they can become aware of the importance of correct spelling. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Tshivenda)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / This study sought to identify problems concerning Pan South African Language Board spelling rules in respect of Tshivenḓa orthography. A qualitative descriptive research method was chosen. The study population consisted of Pan South African Language Board spelling rules. The rules dealt with nine indigenous languages that were Tshivenḓa, isiZulu, Siswati, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, isiXhosa, isiNdebele and Sesotho sa Leboa. Each of the nine indigenous languages had between 12 and 56 rules. Altogether there were 255 rules which constituted the study population of this project. A small but sufficient sample of about twenty rules in Tshivenḓa orthography was selected. Data were collected by means of unstructured interviews with forty-four purposely selected participants which include linguists as well as document analysis. Ethical considerations were ensured in order to protect participants from any harm or discomfort that might arise from being involved in an investigation. The researcher explained the aim and nature of the study to respondents, to get their informed consent before the interviews. Several strategies to prevent defects, challenges and problems in Tshivenḓa orthography were recommended based on the results. The strategies focused on aspects which deal with spelling and orthography rules. Key concepts: orthography, indigenous languages, rules, writing systems.

This study presents an efficacy evaluation of language arts instruction in the Fort Worth, Texas elementary schools.

Numerous studies since the 1960s have demonstrated that peer tutoring between two students is an effective teaching practice across populations and academic content areas. However, there has been limited research on peer tutoring beyond the traditional dyad format. We analyze variations of peer tutoring in a series of studies in a 3rd grade general education classroom. During the first study, we compared dyad and group peer tutoring structures for spelling acquisition with 14 participants across 2 experiments. We found that the majority of the students mastered novel words with fewer learn units during peer tutoring in dyads (i.e., lower learn units-to-criterion). However, scores on spelling post-assessments were higher following group peer tutoring conditions. Findings suggest that peer tutoring in a group may be more effective when considering post-assessment accuracy. In the second study we analyzed the effects of peer tutoring with Equivalence Based Instruction (EBI) on inference making, specifically, the emergence of eight 3-member fraction-percentage classes with 8 participants across 2 experiments. We found that participants acquired both baseline training relations during peer tutoring EBI: one directly as a tutee and one indirectly as a tutor. Following peer tutoring EBI, all participants derived the remaining 4 relations. Once participants had formed equivalence classes, they could also sort fraction stimuli, which demonstrated transfer of function. Additionally, we noted that it may be important for instructors to consider response effort for training relations when designing instruction for peer tutoring EBI due to possible adverse effects on student behaviors. Our findings suggest novel and effective means in designing pedagogy to increase learn units, select effective tutoring formats, and plan for inference making in general education classrooms.