Spelling Habits

Spelling teachers and students try to get it right the first time but invariably end up spending a lot of time trying to correct bad spelling habits that somehow develop.

Because these errors were not corrected early, and were repeated over and over (i.e., practiced), many spelling errors quickly develop into bad habits and are then much harder to eradicate. For example, some people always write "recieve" instead of "receive".

We all know that old habits die hard and many spelling errors therefore defy correction by conventional methods.

The usual advice to practice the correct spelling over and over is not very effective. The next day learners seem to have forgotten what they've learned and the same old spelling errors resurface. It seems we just keep falling back to old ways and, consequently, transfer of learning (memory for correct spelling) is poor.

Fortunately, a cognitive science discovery called Old Way New Way^® Learning, endorsed and gazetted by the South Australian Department of Education and built into Personal Best Spelling, offers all learners of all ages:

1. A new perspective on the transfer of learning problem in the learning of spelling.

2. A fast and practical way to learn to spell new and unfamiliar words.

3. A user-friendly method for quickly and permanently eradicating bad spelling habits.

This page gives some links to other spelling sites of interest.

Personal Best Spelling is the only spelling program licensed to use the Old Way New Way^® learning method. Extensive research and trials in schools and workplaces shows that Old Way New Way^® works equally well with adult learners and children. Personal Best Spelling therefore comes in two versions - one for adults and one for children.

Adult spelling

Not just another educational computer game, the adult version of Personal Best Spelling employs research-based learning methods yet it is very user friendly and, unlike most so-called adult spelling programs, it does not insult your intelligence.

The adult version of Personal Best Spelling is available as a computer software program for Windows operating systems or as a pencil-and-paper version.

Read more about the adult spelling version of Personal Best Spelling.

Children's spelling

The children's version contains some animated characters but this is kept to a minimum so as not to distract the child from the learning task.

The children's version of Personal Best Spelling is available as a computer software program for Windows operating systems or as a pencil-and-paper version.

Read more about the children's version of Personal Best Spelling.

Orders

   Adult spelling

   Children's spelling

Contact

   Contact

Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps

The reading program for every preschooler and school beginner.

Learn to Read in Nine Easy Steps:

1. Can quickly make you a competent teacher of reading

2. Provides step-by-step instructions and sample lessons so you know exactly what to say and do

3. Makes the teaching of reading stress-free, enjoyable and rewarding for both you and your child

4. Takes children from phonological awareness to functional literacy in nine easy, stress-free, steps

5. Tunes in to how children learn best

6. Gives children rapid success and boosts confidence

7. Offers early intervention to avoid reading failure later

8. Demystifies the maze of conflicting theories on how children should be taught to read

9. Was developed by an educational psychologist with over 30 years success in the teaching of reading

10. Is built on a sound psychological theory of how children learn to read

11. Is available in both U.S. spelling or U.K./Oz spelling

12. Comes in Home User or Professional versions, both with personalised learning materials and email support direct from the author.

Versions

Home Version: For parents and carers, the Home User version comes with one set of personalised learning materials and email support for a period of 1 month, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

School/professional version: For schools, child care centres, professional literacy tutors and other educational organisations, the Professional version comes complete with one set of 14 Phonic Readers, five personalised sets of learning materials and 2 months of email support, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

For schools, child care centres, professional literacy tutors and other educational organisations, the Professional version comes complete with one set of 14 Phonic Readers, five personalised sets of learning materials and 2 months of email support, during which period you can ask the kit author questions about the use of the kit. More

Why Johnny can't read

Orders

Home Version.

School/professional version