Learning to spell: enduring theories, recent research and current issues

ABSTRACT This review highlights some areas of current interest in teaching students to spell and how spelling skills develop. The topics covered in the paper include: theories of spelling acquisition, theories guiding effective teaching, the importance of word study approaches across the age range, the influence of technology on learning to spell, spelling for students with English as a second language, current debates concerning spelling standards, and a strong argument for better training for pre- and in-service teachers. There needs to be greater coverage of methods for teaching spelling in schools; and teachers need to have more in-depth metalinguistic knowledge.