SPELLING‐SOUND RELATIONS IN ESL INSTRUCTION¹

Abstract

Recent linguistic investigations have revealed that there is a good fit between English orthography and English pronunciation and that this goodness of fit is valid for different dialects of English. Thus, it is suggested that these relations be used in reading and spelling instruction for students of English as a second language (ESL). While revisions to account for speech differences may be necessary and while students whose native language uses the Roman alphabet may have problems of interference, procedures for native speakers may be used with second language learners. In addition, the orthography may assist one in acquiring additional knowledge of English.

English Orthography a Guide to Word Stress and Vowel Quality

“…A creative facility of this kind will release the Student from having to expand his personal oral lexicon by learning pronunciations word by word, or by looking up unf amiliar words in a dictionary, or by asking how particular words are pronounced. Such a facility will free the Student to shift lexical items from a reading acquaintance to his active oral repertoire äs the need arises (Cronnell 1972:22 f, Dickerson 1977b). …”