The Simultaneous Oral Spelling method can be highly effective in improving spelling scores.  This technique combines audio (hearing), visual (seeing) and kinaesthetic (touch/ doing) methods, helping children remember how to spell the words they practise.  It’s a very easy method to use but you must ensure you don’t miss out any steps.  Here is how to use the Simultaneous Oral Spelling method:

Equipment: paper, pencil, crayons and/ or felt tips.

Environment: you should be seated next to the learner at an uncluttered desk or table.  There should be little or no background noise.

1.  First, say the word.  This is repeated by the child.

2.  Next, write the word.  Say each letter as you write it.  Use the letter name, not the letter sounds.

3.  Say the word aloud when you have finished writing it.

4.  Now the child writes the word, saying each letter as s/he writes it.

5.  The child says the word aloud when s/he has finished writing it.

6.  Next, the child takes a crayon or felt tip and traces over the letters, again naming each letter as s/he writes it.

7.  The child says the word aloud when s/he has finished writing it.

8.  Repeat steps 6 and 7 a few times, until the child feels confident s/he can remember how to spell the word.

9.  Take away the paper and ask the child to write the word.

10.  It’s best to learn only 2/3 words per session in this way.

This multi-sensory approach is ideal for dyslexic children or those with any specific learning difficulty relating to literacy.  Linking motor and tactile techniques with audio and visual techniques increases the probability that the child will remember tricky spellings in future.  It also provides the opportunity for some handwriting practice (but don’t dwell on handwriting too much: focus on spellings when using the SOS method).

You can read more about helping your child with spelling here.

Better Tuition is owned and run by Paul Syrett and Christine McLaughlin.  Christine is a qualified Special Educational Needs teacher with many years experience in helping children with all kinds of barriers to literacy, as well as many other types of SEN.  Our team of qualified teachers is experienced and expert in delivering individual lessons tailored to the individual needs of children of all abilities.  Our team includes a specialist dyslexia teacher and we are able to offer screening and diagnosis. To book a free assessment or some tuition in our Urmston tuition centre, please contact our friendly team today.