What happens when a teacher uses metalanguage to teach spelling?

Tessa DAFFERN

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    14 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    While learning to spell in English is integral to becoming a literate writer, it is a complex and gradual skill to master. If English spelling is understood from a phonological, orthographic, and morphological perspective, its transparency becomes evident. The case study described in this article shines a light on an Australian Year 4 classroom teacher and one of the students in the class. It illustrates the importance of teacher knowledge in the linguistics of spelling and how teachers can apply their content and pedagogical knowledge to encourage children to talk about the spelling strategies they use. Teachers who model and encourage the use of metalanguage while integrating spelling instruction with meaningful reading and writing experiences can empower students to build autonomy and confidence in their spelling.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)423-434
    Number of pages12
    JournalThe Reading Teacher: a journal of the International Reading Association
    Volume70
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'What happens when a teacher uses metalanguage to teach spelling?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this