Stage 2 guidelines for writing: Orthography

Here are some orthography objectives for Stage 2 for writing:

• In languages where the spelling is regular, if you know the correct forms of words, you should be able to spell them. In languages where the spelling is irregular, you want to work toward accuracy in common words, although you will probably still misspell some less common or very irregular words
• To continue learning character systems, which will continue as long as you are learning vocabulary (forever!) By this stage you should be able to use the orthography of alphabetic and syllabary systems. If the spelling system is irregular, you should aim for correct spelling of frequently used words.
• To use handwritten script as well as hand-printed forms of the orthography. You will probably also want to learn to type, which will involve a different keyboard layout.

Here are some orthography strategies for Stage 2 guidelines for writing:

• Analysis

  Some character and syllabary systems are based on roots with modifications. Understanding the basis on which the characters are formed can help you to learn them.

• Practice

  Just copying out texts you can understand can help reinforce the orthography in your memory. Dictations and writing out answers to written questions also help, along with doing lots of reading.

• Selective attention

  If there are special problem areas in the orthography, you can focus attention on them and try to master the problems.

Here are some orthography techniques for Stage 2 guidelines for writing:

The Write and Rewrite technique

• The Cloze technique

Here are some orthography activities for Stage 2 guidelines for writing:

Read as much as possible

• Use your writing skills in everyday life: to take phone messages, to write notes or letters to friends, and to summarize what you are reading, seeing and doing.

  If you use writing at work and it is important that what you write be accurate, get someone to edit it for you, but do the draft yourself. Writing is hard work at this stage, but the more you write, the better you will be. Do not let fear of making mistakes keep you from writing.

• Generic module: Stage 2 guidelines for writing: Orthography
• In overview module: Stage 2: Writing modules
• In modular book: Guidelines for a Language and Culture Learning Program, by Carol J. Orwig
• In document collection: Other Resources
• In bookshelf: Language Learning

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 3.5, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 8 December 1998

© 1999 SIL International