Development of spelling ability and letter--sound orientation in primary school children.

Abstract

Recent research has established the link between disorders of spoken and written language. Consequently, speech and language therapists serving paediatric populations often need to assess children's spelling abilities. However, there are few appropriate assessments of normal abilities available. In order to describe, quantitatively and qualitatively, the normal development of spelling ability in the primary school years, a modified version of the Schonell Graded Spelling Test (1956) was used to assess 1372 children in grades 2-6 in five city and two rural schools. The results were analysed in terms of three scores: percentage of words spelled correctly; words not attempted; and misspellings ..