Consonants in Context: The How and Why of English Spelling

Mairi Rennie: M. A. St Andrews and Ph. D Southampton. 40 years of teaching English language and EFL from school to postgraduate level in UK and USA.

For few minutes in a class, a small list or particular word pattern can be introduced, pointing out any exceptions. Students improve their spelling more successfully by this method rather than by learning random word lists. Games and quizzes can be devised to add interest. Students are often intrigued by the history of the language and its effects on English, and this too can encourage learning.