17 Spelling and Grammar Goals for 2017

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Will 2017 be the year you start working on your spelling and grammar? We hope so!

Here are seventeen spelling and grammar goals for 2017:

  1. Take the Spellzone Spelling Ability Test
    New year, new start. Use our test to find out the best point for you to start the Spellzone course from. Find out more about how the test works here.
  2. Complete at least one Spellzone unit a week
    If you’re feeling enthusiastic, set your target number of units per week even higher.
  3. Begin a spelling log
    Create a log of the words you find difficult and learn as much as possible about them. If you know, for example, the word you are trying to spell is a loanword, you can assume it might not follow usual spelling rules. Or, if you know how a word is pronounced and what it means, you might be able to use a familiar word root to work out how to spell it.
  4. Learn how to use the Spellzone word list feature
    Now that you know what some of your problem words are, learn how to use our wod list feature and practise spelling them. You can learn about our various spelling tests here.
  5. Learn how to create your own mnemonics
    We all struggle to spell different words and we all have different methods that help us remember our spellings. Coming up with your own mnemonics will ensure you’re using methods that are suited to how your brain works.
  6. Try out our spelling games
    Sometimes you need a break.
  7. Read more
    You don’t need to read books – reading anything from food packets to comics will help you memorise the look of common spelling patterns.
  8. Get your head around the ‘I before E except after C’ spelling rule
    This is possibly the most famous English spelling rule, make sure you know how to apply it.
  9. Learn these five tips for spelling words with silent letters
    Silent letters can be tricky. Don’t let them trip you up!
  10. Learn the rules for adding suffixes to words
    Adding a suffix changes the meaning of a word – make sure you’re doing it correctly.
  11. Teach yourself the how to tell apart one set of commonly confused words a week
    Scroll to the bottom of each article to find a list confusing words we’ve looked at in the past.
  12. Make sure you’re using capital letters in the right places
  13. Learn how to use apostrophes correctly
    If you struggle with apostrophes, you’re certainly not alone. We can help!
  14. Learn how to form plurals correctly
    A quick tip: don’t use apostrophes.
  15. Learn how to use abbreviations
    When should you use capital letters? When do you need an apostrophe? Learn the different types of abbreviations and how to write each type correctly.
  16. Eradicate these common mistakes from your writing
  17. Learn how to use semi colons
    Semi colons are difficult – that’s why we’ve left them for last. Learn how to use them correctly and show off!

What are your spelling and grammar goals this year?


03 Jan 2017
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"Fantastic - the most relevant material/resource ever seen for both dyslexia and teaching spelling rules."

College Lecturer