Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis

Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Solution to America's Literacy Crisis

Author: Denise Eide

Publisher: Logic of English, Inc

Published: 2011-01-27

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 1936706075

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"English is so illogical!" It is generally believed that English is a language of exceptions. For many, learning to spell and read is frustrating. For some, it is impossible... especially for the 29% of Americans who are functionally illiterate. But what if the problem is not the language itself, but the rules we were taught? What if we could see the complexity of English as a powerful tool rather than a hindrance? --Denise Eide Uncovering the Logic of English challenges the notion that English is illogical by systematically explaining English spelling and answering questions like "Why is there a silent final E in have, large, and house?" and "Why is discussion spelled with -sion rather than -tion?" With easy-to-read examples and anecdotes, this book describes: - the phonograms and spelling rules which explain 98% of English words - how English words are formed and how this knowledge can revolutionize vocabulary development - how understanding the reasons behind English spelling prevents students from needing to guess The author's inspiring commentary makes a compelling case that understanding the logic of English could transform literacy education and help solve America's literacy crisis. Thorough and filled with the latest linguistic and reading research, Uncovering the Logic of English demonstrates why this systematic approach should be as foundational to our education as 1+1=2.


Dictionary of the British English Spelling System

Dictionary of the British English Spelling System

Author: Greg Brooks

Publisher: Open Book Publishers

Published: 2015-03-30

Total Pages: 524

ISBN-13: 1783741074

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This book will tell all you need to know about British English spelling. It's a reference work intended for anyone interested in the English language, especially those who teach it, whatever the age or mother tongue of their students. It will be particularly useful to those wishing to produce well-designed materials for teaching initial literacy via phonics, for teaching English as a foreign or second language, and for teacher training. English spelling is notoriously complicated and difficult to learn; it is correctly described as much less regular and predictable than any other alphabetic orthography. However, there is more regularity in the English spelling system than is generally appreciated. This book provides, for the first time, a thorough account of the whole complex system. It does so by describing how phonemes relate to graphemes and vice versa. It enables searches for particular words, so that one can easily find, not the meanings or pronunciations of words, but the other words with which those with unusual phoneme-grapheme/grapheme-phoneme correspondences keep company. Other unique features of this book include teacher-friendly lists of correspondences and various regularities not described by previous authorities, for example the strong tendency for the letter-name vowel phonemes (the names of the letters ) to be spelt with those single letters in non-final syllables.


Teaching Spelling to English Language Learners

Teaching Spelling to English Language Learners

Author: Johanna Stirling

Publisher: Lulu.com

Published: 2011-02-15

Total Pages: 281

ISBN-13: 1447606787

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A book for anyone teaching English spelling, particularly those working with English language learners. This essential manual answers three challenging questions about teaching spelling: Why is there a problem with teaching and learning spelling? What can be done about it? How can this be accomplished? The first part of the book helps teachers understand the systems of English spelling and the regularities, which are not necessarily phonological. It explores the errors that learners really make and the challenges faced by teachers. The second part outlines a fresh, new, multi-dimensional approach to teaching spelling which recognises the need for learner engagement and strategy training as well as work on the patterns found in English orthography. The final part of the book presents over seventy engaging and effective activities which are designed to develop a range of strategies and knowledge about English spelling.


Rules and Exceptions of English Spelling

Rules and Exceptions of English Spelling

Author: Masha Bell

Publisher:

Published: 2009-06

Total Pages: 56

ISBN-13: 9781903490396

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Native English speakers are taught English spelling rules and the spellings of over 3,000 common words which disobey them, yet many still make numerous spelling errors. This book helps poor spellers to improve their skills by showing readers exactly what learning to spell actually involves.


American English Spelling

American English Spelling

Author: D. W. Cummings

Publisher: JHU Press

Published: 1988-05

Total Pages: 606

ISBN-13: 9780801834431

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In this study of the English language as it is spelled in America, D. W. Cummings demonstrates that behind the apparent disorder of spelling in American English lies a self-regulating and self-reorganizing system that is responsive to four kinds of imperative: phonetic, semantic, etymological, and systemic. Cummings offers a systematic theory of orthography and applies this theory to the American English vocabulary with numerous examples. Cummings also describes the explication of written words into their elements, particles, and processes, and he sets out the tactical and procedural rules that control the distribution and sequencing of vowels and consonants. In the largest section of the book, he provides an exhaustive description of the major and minor correspondences between the sounds of American English words and their spellings. An essential reference work, American English Spelling moves beyond questions of how words are spelled to an understanding of why they are spelled as they are.


Spelling Counts

Spelling Counts

Author: Janet Giannotti

Publisher: University of Michigan Press ELT

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780472033478

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Brings a new dimension to spelling instruction by emphasizing the relationship between the way that words look and the way that they sound. Presents numerous classroom activities that teach students to listen for vowel and consonant sounds and to recognize patterns in the letter combinations that correspond to those sounds. Instead of memorizing lists of unrelated words, students learn spelling as a system of sound/symbol correspondence that can be applied in a variety of academic situations to support other skills. Each unit in this workbook ends with a review that reinforces the patterns and the connections between the word spellings and sounds. --


The Spelling Teacher's Book of Lists

The Spelling Teacher's Book of Lists

Author: Jo Phenix

Publisher: Pembroke Publishers Limited

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1551381672

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This revised collection of patterns and facts explains the tricks and tenets of the English language, as well as other aspects of etymology. It is based on a study of common errors that kids make, therefore making it easier for them to adopt correct language usage.


Spelling for Life

Spelling for Life

Author: Lyn Stone

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-10-23

Total Pages: 313

ISBN-13: 1134671539

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A recent survey of 200 teachers asking the question ‘spelling is...?’ resulted in the following adjectives: ‘difficult’, ‘complex’, ‘confusing’, ‘random’, ‘confounding’. Spelling for Life offers lucid, accessible tools which help to reveal that, when explicitly and systematically taught, spelling is scientific, law-abiding and even elegant. It explains that spelling is the manipulation of symbols according to agreed-upon patterns that produce predictable results. Spelling errors also fall into sets of predictable patterns. Success in spelling is not a product of intelligence. Many people struggle to spell due to coping strategies developed in place of explicit instruction. What gives spelling its ‘complex’ veneer is the fact that different ways of thinking are required at different levels from word to word. Some words can be spelt as they sound, others have to be visually memorised and some rely on knowledge of core rules about word-structure. A lot of words require more than one strand of knowledge. This book makes clear which strand needs to be applied in different situations. Often pupils who can read and express themselves competently nevertheless find spelling difficult. False assumptions about spelling, such as believing the English language is complex and/or irregular, damage confidence and lead to reluctance to even attempt to spell correctly. Spelling For Life enables teachers and pupils to: learn what the common spelling coping strategies are gain insights into undoing poor spelling habits work together to notice patterns not only in regular spelling, but also in words which on the surface seem to break the spelling rules practise successful spelling strategies, progressing from simple to complex words rapidly and with confidence. Using a synthesis of theory, research and teaching experience, the fascinating nature of English spelling is systematically teased out. The examples and exercises offer an encouraging, accessible way to implement the programme of study and strive to reveal the beauty of spelling. Aided by example lessons, progressive assessments, unique tools and extensive practice lists, this highly acclaimed overview of spelling succeeds in developing critical thinking and confidence when reading and spelling. It can be used in conjunction with any established phonics programme.