How to improve your spelling

This page has been put together to help you practise and revisit some of the brilliant skills you’ve learned all through primary school.

It’s a great way to boost your confidence in English and get you ready for the exciting next step into Year 8!

Spelling is an essential skill as it helps your writing to be clear, confident and easy to understand.

As you move through this page, you’ll learn how to:

• apply common spelling rules correctly
• recognise and spell words with silent letters and double consonants
• improve spelling through practice and memory techniques

Some words are trickier than others! These words are often misspelt and must be learned accurately.

Commonly misspelt words include:

• necessary
• separate
• definitely
• because
• different
• important
• beautiful

• write each word in a sentence

• say the word slowly and check every syllable

• look for tricky letter patterns

When you are unsure how to spell a word, try one or more of these strategies:

1. Break the words into syllables

Say the word slowly and clap the syllables.

• def in ite ly
• nec es sar y

This helps you hear all the sounds.

Activity

Read each form of transport in the list below out loud and count the syllables.

• car
• taxi
• aeroplane
• bike
• helicopter
• train

• pedalo
• scooter
• roller skates
• rowing boat
• camel
• skateboard

Now, copy out the table below and write the form of transport in the correct column.

The first one has been done for you.

Top tip!
Don't forget that you can clap to help you count the syllables.

You can check your answers using this answer sheet.

2. Look for root words

Many long words are built from smaller words you already know.

• unhelpful → help

• careless → care

3. Use prefixes and suffixes

Prefixes and suffixes are added to the beginning or end of a word.

un , re , dis (prefixes)

ful, less, ly (suffixes)

Example:

care → careful → carefully

4. Use a spelling rule (if there is one)

Some words follow spelling rules that can help.

Common spelling rules and patterns:

ie or ei?

For most words, i comes before e:

• piece
• tie
• shield

But after c, e comes before i:

• receive
• deceive
• receipt

Some words break the rule and must be learned:

• eight
• weird
• their

Below are six prefixes and six root words.

Match up each prefix with the correct root word and write a sentence which includes that new word.

Prefixes

• ir-

• dis-

• re-

• sub-

• mis-

• un-

Root words

• responsible

• read

• build

• like

• lucky

• way

You can check your answers using this answer sheet.

In many two syllable words, if the first vowel sound is short, it is often followed by a double consonant.

Examples:

• parrot
• kennel
• teddy

A silent letter is a letter that cannot be heard when the word is spoken.

Examples:

• knight
• whine

There is no single rule, but silent letters often include: b, g, h, k, l, w.

When spelling tricky words:

• try a strategy (syllables, root word, prefix or suffix)
• apply a rule if there is one
• ask yourself: does this look right?

Think about these questions to stretch your thinking and sharpen your skills!

• Why do you think English has so many spelling rules and exceptions?

• Which spelling rule do you find most helpful, and why?

• How can learning spelling patterns make writing easier and more enjoyable?

Have a chat about your answers with a parent, teacher or your class.