ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling

ESOL > Writing > Word Focus (Spelling and Handwriting) >  Spelling> Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling 
(i) Know and apply some strategies for remembering words learners want to spell, e.g. use a simple mnemonic, highlight common letter combinations in colour
(ii) Understand the value of using visual memory to learn English spellings
(iii) Sound letters out and segment a word into syllables as a spelling strategy.

Sample activities

  • Learners practise spelling key words in context, following discussion, reading and writing of simple texts. Learners look at and try out different strategies for remembering spelling, focusing on the part of the word that presents difficulties: circling or colouring the part of the word they have problems with; sounding out the spelling phonetically and pronouncing silent letters; segmenting words into syllables; breaking words up into parts, e.g. yes–ter–day; looking for words within words, e.g. foot ball, week end; using colour or splitting up words to highlight visual features, e.g. L ee ds, L on d on, So mali a; using a personal mnemonic; using Look Say Cover Write Check.
  • Learners choose five key words from their own writing to learn to spell. They practise in pairs, using strategies that suit their learning style, helping and testing each other before being given a spelling quiz.

E1 spelling and sentence building

A very useful set of 15 graduated tasks that involve reading sentences, learning key words / spellings and writing sentences.

Level
Entry Level 1
English
Rs/E1.1 Read and recognise simple sentence structures
Adult Lit Rw/E1.1 Have limited, meaningful sight vocabulary of words, signs, symbols
Ws/E1.1
Ww/E1.1
ESOL
ESOL Rs/E1.1a Read and recognise simple sentence structures:
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Ws/E1.1a Construct a simple sentence, using basic word order & verb form
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1b Use basic sound-letter correspondence & letter patterns to aid spelling
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling

Buildings

Buildings provides group spelling and vocabulary practice along with ideas for speaking practice. Look at the picture, then type the spelling into the box (ideal with a cordless keyboard) before checking the correct spelling with a mouse click.
Examples include castle, palace, windmill, Big Ben, bungalow and more.
Originally used with the DfES ESOL E1 Skills for Life materials (Unit 7 – Homes) but can be used alone. Please read the notes area on slide 1 of this PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
Context
Construction Carpentry Plumbing

Problems in the home PPT & dialogue cards

Problems in the home PPT provides group spelling and vocabulary practice along with ideas for speaking practice. Look at the pictures, discuss what the people do (electricians, gas engineers, plumbers, etc.) and the problems they fix. Then type the correct spelling into the box (ideal with a cordless keyboard) before checking the correct spelling with a mouse click. Finish with some skimming and scanning practice using related information from the Yellow Pages.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Lr/E1.5c Take part in more formal exchanges
ESOL Lr/E1.4b Recognise different question words
ESOL Rt/E1.1a Follow a short narrative on a familiar topic or experience
ESOL Rt/E1.1b Obtain information from texts
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Sd/E1.1b Take part in more formal interaction
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
Context
Independent living

Clothes

Clothes provides group spelling and vocabulary practice along with ideas for speaking practice (giving descriptions). With examples of the use of ‘A pair of…’ (shoes, shorts, trousers, etc.)
Please read the notes area on slide 1 of this PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Sc/E1.4d Make statements of fact clearly
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling

Everyday objects

Provides group spelling, vocabulary and speaking practice. Originally used with a cordless keyboard and mouse to practice spelling homework (12 key words). Can easily be adapted to include your own group’s key spellings / vocabulary. Please read the notes area on slide 1 for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling

Fruit and vegetables

Provides group spelling, vocabulary and speaking practice. Also useful for recapping count / non-count nouns (e.g. asparagus), indefinite article (e.g. an apricot) and special plurals (tomatoes, radishes). Originally used with a cordless keyboard and mouse to practice spelling homework. Can easily be adapted to include your own group’s key spellings / vocabulary.
Please read the notes area on slide 1 for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Level
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
ESOL
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
ESOL Ww/E2.1b Use knowledge of sound–symbol relationships & phonological patterns when spelling
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

Complete the shopping list writing frame

A writing frame written to accompany the writing extension task on slide 14 of the Food and Food Container PPT (see below) but could also be used for other short spelling checks.

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

Food and Food Containers

Food and Food Containers provides vocabulary practice with a series of paired examples of ‘container phrases’ e.g. a coffee cup – a cup of coffee; an egg box – a box of eggs, a wine glass – a glass of wine, etc.
Type in boxes are ideal for group spelling practice with a cordless keyboard.
The final slide is an extension writing activity to be used with a separate Word shopping list template (see below) and/or ESOL DfES Skill for Life Materials (E1, Unit 3 – Shopping 1).

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Wt/E1.1a Compose very simple text to communicate ideas or basic information
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

Travel and Transport

Travel and Transport provides group spelling and vocabulary practice. 15 individual forms of transport – look at the picture, then type the spelling into the box (ideal with a cordless keyboard) before checking the correct spelling with a mouse click. There is then a page of more unusual forms of travel followed by a final group writing activity.
Please read the notes area on slide 1 of this PPT for teaching ideas, curriculum links, etc.

Level
Entry Level 1
ESOL
ESOL Rw/E1.1a Recognise a limited number of words, signs and symbols
ESOL Ww/E1.1a Use and spell correctly some personal key words and familiar words
ESOL Ww/E1.1c Develop strategies to aid spelling
Context
Leisure, Hobbies, Travel & Tourism
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