Advice

pollypenny

Izadora wrote: »

I think it would also help if the meanings of words were more clearly explained when teaching spelling. It would be a lot easier to remember that it doesn't end 'ate' if you were aware of the similarities to 'finite'.

As if we don't do that? :cool:

I always explain the root of any word which causes spelling problems. In the case if 'definite ' we talk about the Latin 'finire, the French Finir as well as finish and finite.

pollypenny

Absinthe_Fairy wrote: »

This blog post might appeal to some of you:

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

Every time I see a grammatical mistake, I think of this post and smile :-)

I love that, thanks!

I can remember when I had just one pupil who wrote 'a lot' as one word, in spite of my in reading frustration at her ignoring of corrections.
She's an actor now and I occasionally see her on TV.

robatwork

Today I received a business email. The emailler was in a bit of a lather and wrote a few times what we "should of" done.

A sad shake of the head and some mild despair later I replied, and of course didn't correct her.

Coopdivi

Why two paragraphs about the same subject, robatwork?

geerex

As another poster has noted, it's an easy way to "separate the wheat from the chaff" when preparing to interview. If I'm ever asked for feedback, I am honest with the candidate and will usually inform them that their failure to reach the interview stage was due to their poor mastery of English.

robatwork

Because this stuff shouldn't be swept under the carpet in the same way teachers are now afraid to tell pupils they are wrong, they just "use English differently". I even see misspelt missives from school, which is hopeless.

ThumbRemote

robatwork wrote: »

Because this stuff shouldn't be swept under the carpet in the same way teachers are now afraid to tell pupils they are wrong, they just "use English differently".

Do you have any evidence for this?

[Deleted User]

I have noticed the advice and advise mispellings and yes, it does annoy. I've itched to correct many times but also rap myself on the knuckles because you don't know if the OP has a SEN (spell check doesn't help those with dyslexia) but I do think a lot of the time its down to ignorance.

I will now deliberately not proof read this post lol. Have fun!

Izadora

pollypenny wrote: »

As if we don't do that? :cool:

I always explain the root of any word which causes spelling problems. In the case if 'definite ' we talk about the Latin 'finire, the French Finir as well as finish and finite.

It's great that you do that but it's certainly not something which was ever done at my school.

PenguinJim

I've just been reminded of another word which defiantly belongs in this thread!