Teaching Spelling to MLs

Spelling is an important component of literacy. At the beginning levels of literacy, decoding (reading) and encoding (spelling) can be taught at the same time. As students advance in their decoding skills, they typically surpass their spelling skills. It is easier to remember that a_e, a, ai, and ay all make the long a sound than it is to remember which spelling pattern to use in each word.

For multilingual learners it is important that students know the meaning of the words that they are spelling. This will help to build their vocabulary as they are also learning how to spell.

Use Pictures

Pictures are a quick way to show students what a word means. Depending on the language level of the student you might want to show them the picture before or after they spell a word.

A spelling journal with pictures helps students keep track of spelling patterns while also learning the meaning of English words.

Students can be given a list of pictures, and then write the spelling of the word. They can match a picture with the correct spelling of the word. Students can also use pictures to sort based on how the word is spelled.

Use Synonyms

Sometimes a simple synonym will help students understand the meaning of a word that they are spelling. Hat to explain cap, or big for gigantic.

Use Cognates

If your MLs speak the same home language, and you, as the teacher, also know that language, cognates are a great way to help students understand the meaning of words that they are spelling. Sometimes, cognates can even help students understand the spelling of a word if that word originates from the language that your students speak.

Here is a list of common English to Spanish cognates from Colorin Colorado.

Use Minimal Pairs

Minimal pairs are two words that are different by only one sound in the same position in the word. They can help students focus on both pronouncing the word and spelling the word. Minimal pairs are particularly helpful for MLs when they help a student learn words that contain sounds that are not present in their home language.

One word of caution about using minimal pairs with students learning English. If you have a newcomer ELL you may want to wait on introducing minimal pairs until the student has gained a basic level of English vocabulary and literacy so that you do not overwhelm the student.

Word Work Activities

Read about additional word work activities to support your MLs spelling skills.