ERROR-BASED SPELLING STRATEGY FOR EFL LEARNERS

Abstract

Wrong Spelling is Wrong, yes of course theres no such thing as wrong
spelling is right. A typical English Teacher in a classroom conducting a spelling test
would always use the former phrase like a mantra. And so goes the different facial
reactions you can see on the faces of the spelling test takers.
As an EFL or ESL learners, is spelling an important part of learning the
language? If your answer is no, you would probably disagree with this research-based
spelling program though you might change your mind, yet if your reply is yes this
research is worth your time.
This short brief research has been conceptualized out of conscious observation
on how spelling plays an important role in learning English as a language. Many articles
and similar researches claimed that a little effort is extended to the study of spelling
development, yet too many researches are solely directed towards reading alone. The
researcher is quite challenged enough to give spelling development a new shine of
importance as a research subject.
For English learners in a non-English speaking country, learning the language is
without a doubt a great pilgrimage of challenge with each barriers and contradictions
thread into one. The learner is expected to meet the demands of the language as much as
halfway through to use the language with accuracy and efficiency and spelling is
undoubtedly a part of it. With this thought, it is then so timely to choose Japanese EFL
learners as the respondents of this study. The respondents were the second year and third
year university students majoring in European& American Language and Culture. Using
a 30-item spelling test that contains the thirty most misspelled words in English, the
researcher found out common spelling error patterns thus becomes the basis for a spelling
program.


By: Cheryl T. Lubao
MEXT Mombukagakusho- Teacher Training 2012-2013
Osaka Kyoiku University