Lyn Stone, an inspirational educator and linguist, joins Chris Such, an expert in teaching practices, for a deep dive into the intricacies of English spelling. They discuss the writing system's complexities, exploring morphology and spelling patterns. The conversation highlights innovative strategies for teaching spelling to diverse learners, including those with dyslexia and dysgraphia. Their insights on the necessity of tailored instruction and visual support pave the way for enhancing literacy skills in primary education.
Lyn Stone highlights the necessity for a systematic phonics program that incorporates both phoneme-grapheme correspondences and morphological understanding for effective spelling instruction.
The Just Reading Study raises crucial discussions among educators about the implications of faster reading rates on comprehension and the need for careful interpretation of its findings.
Teaching morphological awareness through the understanding of prefixes and root words can significantly enhance students' spelling skills and overall reading proficiency.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Guests
The episode begins with introductions to the guests, Christopher Such and Lynne Stone, who discuss their backgrounds and expertise in literacy. Lynne, a linguist, shares her journey from studying linguistics to working in education, specifically in addressing reading and writing challenges among children and adults. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing her knowledge in creating programs and instructional resources aimed at improving literacy. Both hosts express admiration for Lynne's published works, highlighting her contributions to the field of literacy education.
The Impact of Reading Instruction
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around a study known as the Just Reading Study, which investigates the effects of a faster reading pace on adolescent readers' comprehension. The study, which yielded astonishing results, has provoked interest among educators, prompting debates about its implications and the accuracy of its findings. Christopher suggests caution in interpreting the results, arguing that the lack of replication and a control group raises questions about the validity of the observed improvements. He urges educators to consider other factors that may have contributed to the results, advocating for a measured interpretation of the study’s conclusions.
Addressing Spelling Difficulties in English
Lynne discusses how the English writing system can lead to spelling difficulties when introduced improperly. While phonics offers a solid foundation for teaching spelling, she argues that additional layers of English orthography are often neglected, leaving students confused. A systematic phonics program should ideally address not just phoneme-grapheme correspondences but also aspects like morphemes and orthographic expectancies. By failing to incorporate these elements, educators may leave students to struggle with spelling without understanding the underlying rules of the language.
The Role of Morphology in Literacy
The conversation shifts to the introduction of morphology in primary education, with Lynne outlining conditions for effectively teaching morphological awareness. She suggests that teachers should first ensure students can reliably form and recognize specific letters, count syllables, and understand foundational irregular words. By focusing on prefixes and root words, students develop a better grasp of how words are constructed in English. This approach not only enhances their spelling abilities, but also empowers them to become more proficient readers.
The Importance of Orthographic Mapping
Christopher and Lynne explore orthographic mapping’s role in literacy and its relationship with reading fluency. They highlight how accurate word recognition is vital for developing reading fluency, emphasizing that merely speeding up reading rates can overlook comprehension and accuracy. The discussion points out the need for educators to ensure that fluency interventions do not sacrifice foundational skills for the sake of speed. The hosts agree that fostering a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction, which includes repeated reading and exposure to diverse texts, is crucial for children’s long-term success as proficient readers.
Episode 174: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I am honoured to be joined by linguist, author and and all-round inspirational educator, Lyn Stone and Chris Such for a sensational, action packed exploration of spelling. As part of the chat we discuss...
If you enjoy this episode, please support us by subscribing to our YouTube channel, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, or making a donation via www.ko-fi.com/tdape.
If you have any questions or comments, you can email us at thinkingdeeplyinfo@gmail.com or join our Discord server, where we have a special channel for unseen question submission.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
