How to learn spelling simply
Learning to spell is easy for some and a real challenge for others! Yet, spelling isn’t just about words on lines; it goes much deeper than that. It’s a subject that is experienced, developed, and can be learned with pleasure if we’re willing to change our perspective on these supposedly complicated words. As a former French teacher, I often witnessed my students’ frustration with spelling certain terms, but I eventually found methods that changed their perception of this learning process and, above all, significantly improved their spelling skills.
Why is spelling so important?
Spelling is everywhere. In a CV, an email, a message. It can change everything: a well-written sentence inspires confidence, but a few mistakes, and credibility vanishes. Today, it remains a powerful social marker: it connects, it reassures, it opens doors.
But its role doesn’t end there. Spelling is also a tool for personal development. When we learn to write correctly, we don’t just learn rules: we learn to think differently. We engage our memory, make connections, and take the time to analyze. Every well-written word is a small victory that structures our thoughts and strengthens our self-confidence. This is why spelling cannot be reduced to a set of rigid rules.
If taught iabstractly it quickly becomes discouraging. But when placed within the context of students’ lived experiences, it takes on its full meaning. Like ” grammar of meaning,” which encourages starting with emotions, representations, and what the child already experiences and understands, spelling can become a living, embodied space A space where one doesn’t simply apply rules, but where one explores, feels, and builds a deep understanding step by step.
Spelling is also a lesson in patience and perseverance: we make mistakes, we try again, we search for the right path. Every error becomes a learning opportunity, and in this process, we don’t just learn to write correctly: we learn about ourselves, how to express ourselves, and how to communicate with others. In practical terms, spelling helps us find our place in society: nothing less!
Where do spelling difficulties come from?
To explain spelling difficulties, the same explanations are often given: “young people read less,” “they text too much,” “there are fewer hours of French in school.” These hypotheses circulate everywhere. But when you look more closely, they don’t really hold up:
- Reading, for example, enriches vocabulary but does little to improve spelling. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: by working on spelling, one strengthens reading skills and therefore comprehension.
- Text messaging? A CNRS study has shown that its use has no significant impact on spelling quality.
- As for school time, it has undoubtedly decreased, but this is not enough to explain the increasing difficulty of the students.
So, where does the problem really lie? Spelling isn’t just a collection of little rules that you can learn one by one! It’s a complex system, a coherent whole. Yu can’t just write it however you want: it’s standardized, codified, and validated by a community. But at the same time, it doesn’t follow simple scientific logic. It’s full of exceptions, requires memory, analysis, and the ability to make connections. It’s this complexity that’s unsettling, because this subject isn’t logical (like mathematics, for example!). That’s where the explanation for the difficulty of spelling lies.
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The nature of spelling
Spelling is a subject that requires thought, concentration, and time to memorize. It’s a skill that takes time to develop. And because it’s not always logical, it raises many questions: Why is this word spelled this way, and not another? Why can the same letter have several sounds?
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The function of spelling
Spelling also plays a social role . Afred Adler spoke of the feeling of belonging: writing to be understood, to feel like a member of a group. Writing is always writing for others. This implies thinking about the reader, adopting an attitude of empathy and maturity. However, in a society marked by individualism and immediacy, this relational requirement may seem out of step with students’ daily lives.
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Spelling in the history of our society
It’s also important to remember that spelling has been shaped by our country’s history . In the 19th century, the bourgeoisie deliberately complicated its use. The goal? To make spelling a tool for social selection . I became a criterion for success, an invisible barrier separating the “educated” from the others: the “ignorant.” This ideology still holds sway today: spelling remains perceived as a marker of personal worth.
One mistake (even an inattentional one), and sometimes the whole person is judged. Just imagine what it’s like when a French teacher makes a mistake!
Clearly, difficulties with spelling cannot be explained by laziness or screens; that would be too simplistic. They stem from the very nature of spelling: a complex, standardized system, laden with history and social symbols, that is out of step with 21st-century societal culture. Understanding this is already a shift in perspective and paves the way for a fairer, more humane approach to education.
How to learn spelling in a fun way?
Change your stance on spelling
In France, .children begin reading very early, as early as first grade (CP), but spelling comes later: in second grade (CE1). Unfortunately, the gap is already starting to widen. Children can read, but when they have to write, they encounter a more complex and standardized system.
It is often at this point that the fear of “doing it wrong” arises. This is no coincidence; spelling still carries a strong ideological weight. Being “good at spelling” is associated with the idea of being “a good person.” Conversely, making a mistake closes doors. We are not talking about a simple “error,” but a fault. The word comes from the Latin *falsus *: to fail, to falter. This root contains the idea of a moral failure. Yet, to err is human. It is part of the learning process.
The problem is that both school and society have too often transformed spelling into a tool for judgment rather than a space for exploration.
Changing our approach means changing how we view spelling mistakes! Helping children approach spelling like entering a new world: with curiosity, with pleasure, with the right to make mistakes. This also involves our vocabulary. Instead of saying “mistake,” say “attempt” or even “error.” The key is to remove the guilt and learn to celebrate our mistakes Yes, for example, in our family, we celebrate everyone’s mistakes every day; it’s a great way to transform them into learning opportunities “Oh, look, I made a mistake with that word, great, now I understand my difficulty better an,d I can correct it for next time!”
This is how students should react, rather than fearing making mistakes. This is the principle of learning from errors: every mistake becomes an opportunity to learn. Every attempt is a step closer to understanding. We then move beyond fear and judgment, entering into a more serene and vibrant relationship with language.
Simplify spelling–discover words in a different way
The French language is rich and complex, but it’s important not to confuse language with spelling. Language is what we speak and hear every day. Spelling, on the other hand, is just a tool: it’s how we transcribe spoken language into written form. And like any tool, we can ask ourselves: Is it a good tool?
It must be acknowledged that our spelling system is not the simplest. Where some languages choose a single way to write a sound, French sometimes offers ten. Take the sound [s]: it can be written in twelve different ways: s, ss, ç, c, t, sc, x, z, th, sth, cc, s! Same letter, several sounds, several spellings for the same sound —enough to make children (and even adults) dizzy. Arnaud Hoedt and Jérôme Pichon, two linguists, give an excellent presentation on this in their TEDx talk on ” The Fault of Spelling, ” which I encourage you to watch.
But be warned: complexity is not an excuse. It is not an insurmountable obstacle, but a richness we must learn to master. The problem isn’t spelling itself, but how we approach it. Too often, we make it out to be an insurmountable mountain. And it’s time to deconstruct this myth! Yes, French is demanding, but above all, it is logical and fascinating when we learn to look at it differently.
This is where the idea of ”simplexity” comes in: a word that means making things accessible without distorting them. I’m in favor of simplifying spelling, and here, I’m not talking about simplifying or impoverishing it. With this approach, I propose finding ways to make it understandable, digestible, and vibrant, while preserving its richness and subtlety.
Reinventing spelling instruction means accepting its complexity while making it more engaging. Instead of saying “it’s complicated,” we can say “it is complex, yes, but together we’ll find the underlying logic.” That’s also what changing our approach means! Isn’t it time to transform spelling instruction into a game rather than a source of anxiety?
Learning spelling- 5 tips to progress smoothly!
Spelling may seem complicated at first, but it becomes much clearer when you develop what is called spelling awareness. Behind this somewhat technical term lies an essential pillar of learning French.
Orthographic awareness is the ability to identify and memorize the spelling of words: their letters, their rules, and their specific structures. It is not limited to recognizing “images” of words, but relies on genuine brain activity. It allows us to make the connection between sounds (phonemes) and letters or groups of letters (graphemes) to improve reading and writing skills. It is thanks to this awareness that a child notices the regularities and irregularities of our language andcan memorizee words effectively.
Developing spelling awareness, therefore, gives children a solid foundation in reading and writing, but also boosts their confidence: they dare to tackle new words, find reference points, and make fewer mistakes. In the medium term, this promotes more fluent reading and more precise writing
1/ Brain and spelling: when speech becomes a learning tool
Learning spelling isn’t just about rules and memory; it’s also about the brain! Understanding how it works allows us to adapt our methods and make learning more effective and even more fun.
The brain mobilizes several functions when it comes to spelling: inhibition (knowing how to resist the wrong answers that come spontaneously), memorization (retaining the correct forms), and especially oral language.
Verbalizing a word helps to anchor it in memory: when a child says aloud what they write, they activate the troca’s area, a key brain region for language. Opening their mouth, articulating, and hearing their own voice: all of this creates a dual coding, acoustic and visual, which facilitates memorization.
This detail is often forgotten: what human beings cannot put into words, they do not fully perceive. Putting a word into their mouth gives it substance, meaning, and existence. This is also what transforms reading into true understanding.
My advice to help children take advantage of this brain function:
- By consciously activating their spelling circuits: writing while speaking, spelling aloud, naming spelling specifics.
- By quickly putting it into practice: linking spoken language to written language, transforming a heard word into a written word.
With these techniques, spelling ceases to be a static exercise. It becomes a living, rhythmic experience, where the brain is fully engaged in the process of learning, and that changes everything!
2/ Grounding in reality–when words come to life
Spelling is not just an assembly of letters; it takes on its full meaning when it is grounded in reality. For a word to be remembered, it must first be evoked, imagined, or feared. It is this mental image that becomes the gateway to understanding and memorization.
Understanding a word is like creating a little movie in your head: some see an image, others feel a sensation, others remember an experience. Regardless of the form, the essential thing is that the word connects to something concrete.
Let’s take an example: if a child is learning the word “chocolate,” it’s not just about stringing letters together. It’s also about evoking the taste, the smell, the color, or the memory of a square of dark or milk chocolate in their mouth. This connection to reality makes the word come alive and makes it much easier to write.
My advice: suggest that the child use the word in a sentence that talks about their life, their world. The word “forest” could become “I remember the big forest where I saw a squirrel.” The word then becomes anchored in their experience and more firmly etched in their memory. In this way, spelling ceases to be an abstract exercise. It becomes a sensory and personal experience, where each word is an encounter. I encourage you to try this exercise with your students and/or children; you’ll quickly see the results!
3/ Analyze the details to better learn spelling
In spelling, it’s rarely whole words that pose a problem, but rather small details: an ending, a silent letter, a doubled consonant. The idea is therefore to learn to break down the word, to look at it like a target, and to focus on the important elements one by one.
Let me give you an example with the word “temps” (time). In spoken language, we only hear “tan.” But in writing, two traps creep in at the end: the silent p and s (in addition to the “em” sound!). By taking the time to identify them, the child understands where the difficulty lies and how to overcome it.
Here is a simple, four-step method:
- To evoke the word:t o say it aloud in toar it.
- Visualize the target: identify the part that seems difficult (here, the end of the word).
- Name the detail: verbalize what is in question, such as “there is a p and an s that we cannot hear”.
- Anchor the reference point, write the word, emphasizing this specific detail.
Little by little, the student gets used to looking for these clues. The word is no longer a sequence of letters, but a clear code, composed of sounds (phonemes) and letters (graphemes) that he learns to connect.
My advice:b efore writing a word, ask the child to identify the most difficult letter or syllable and say it aloud. This simple step transforms passive memory into active attention and helps to solidify spelling in the long term.
4/ Time slowing down to learn better
In our fast-paced society, learning spelling can quickly become a challenge. However, the key isn’t to cram in exercises at breakneck speed, but to take your time. Learning too quickly leads to forgetting. Slowing down allows you to absorb, memorize, and understand. So, let’s start by taking a breather!
Every word deserves to be explored step by step. hTheThe childuldn’t rush from the end of the word, but follow a precise path, from left to right, to observe all its particularities. Spelling the word syllable by syllable, mentally visualizing its shape, saying it aloud, and then writing it in the correct order: all these steps combined fully activate spelling awareness. The child no longer remembers a word by chance; they know it, understand it, and reproduce it with confidence.
My advice: encourage the child to spell the word aloud, syllable by syllable, before writing it down. This deliberate pause creates a rhythm, a clear mental pathway, and reinforces memorization. Time then becomes an ally, not an enemy, in learning spelling.
5/ Listening to your body–discovering the multi-sensory approach to spelling
Spelling isn’t just about the eyes and hands: it nengagesthe whole body and all the senses. Seeing, hearing, touching, pronounand cing: each action reinforces memorization and transforms learning into a living experience. The child is no longer a spectator: they become an active participant in their learning.
Before writing, it is important to clearly explain the instructions, analyze them, and define the steps to follow. Each step (observation, verbalization, visualization) prepares the child for the concrete manipulation of the word. Then comes the action: writing, tracing, manipulating letters, etc. This combination of perception, movement, and speech firmly establishes spelling in the brain. For example, for the word “souhaiter” (to wish), the child can then:
- Saying it out loud
- Visualize each syllable
- Spell by tracing the letters in the air
- Then write the word on his sheet of paper
Gesture, sound, and sight combine to create a robust multisensory space, which facilitates memorization and makes learning more playful.
My advice: vary the materials and activities! Have them write the word in the sand, with magnetic letters, on a board, or by tracing it with their finger on the table. Each additional sensation activates new connections in the brain and transforms a seemingly complicated word into something very simple.
Learning spelling can quickly become easy if you’re willing to shift your perspective and approach to the subject. Say goodbye to overly academic lessons and rote learning! Instead, embrace the connection between your body and the words: remember to verbalize (a lot), take your time, analyze, and incorporate the words into your daily life! It’s a real exercise that you should quickly adopt once you see the positive results.
5 key points for better spelling learning
- Developing spelling awareness: understanding and memorizing words is not limited to a visual image. It is essential to connect sounds and letters to build accurate reading and writing skills while also boosting the child’s confidence.
- Activating the brain through speech: verbalizing words aloud stimulates Broca’s area, creates dual acoustic and visual coding, and transforms spelling into a lively and playful experience.
- Anchoring words in reality: linking each word to an image, a memory, or a concrete sensation allows for a nuanced understanding and lasting memorization.
- Analyzing the details and taking the time: observing the particularities of a word (silent letters, syllables, complex spellings), following a step-by-step path, and spelling syllable by syllable helps to automate spelling.
- Multi-sensory learning: engaging sight, touch, speech, and movement transforms writing into a concrete action. Varying the materials (slate, sand, magnetic letters) facilitates memorization and makes spelling more accessible and fun.
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