Universidad Mariano Gálvez de Guatemala

Filología Inglesa
Lcda. Dayring Romero

SKILLS: SPELLING AND VOCABULARY

Group #1

Pamela Sofía Cabrera Méndez - 0276 20 9701

Meliza Raquel Choc Montes –0276 -20 -105
Jessica Dinorah Santos Zapata – 0276-20-18150
Marcela Maria Castillo – 0276-20-16705
Pablo Daniel Castañaza Anavisca – 0276-20-16033

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INDEX
Step-by-step procedure to study spelling words......................................................................5
Use Spelling Rules...................................................................................................................6
Avoid pronunciation errors that can lead to spelling errors......................................................8
Use strategies to improve spelling.........................................................................................10
Use strategies to learn new words.........................................................................................12
Use context, word parts and word origins to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.....14
Choose the best word for a given situation, making use of synonyms and denotation and
connotation.............................................................................................................................16
Use a dictionary.....................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSIONS.....................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................21

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 INTRODUCTION

Grammar helps to improve the use of language, mainly in the written part or
what we know as spelling, to the knowledge of the writing of the sentences or
their syntax to the components of the words and the sentences said in another
way their morphology in what has to do with the phonetics or sounds.

Grammar is the study of language in its two forms: oral and written. We, as
senders and receivers, know the rules of the language conscientiously, to
have the power to communicate. Grammar performs the analysis at four
levels: phonological, orthographic, morphological, semantic, and syntactic.

Grammar is the study of the rules and principles that regulate the use of
languages and the organization of words within a sentence. It is also called
the set of rules and principles that govern the use of a very specific language;
Thus, each language has its own grammar.

To understand basic grammar well, you must know some grammatical terms
such as nouns, adverbs, adjectives, articles, pronouns, and verbs, among
others.

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SPELLING
SKILLS

4
 Step-by-step procedure to study spelling
words

What is spelling? Spelling is the act of forming words by arranging

letters in the correct sequence according to established rules and
conventions. It is a fundamental aspect of written language and
communication. When you spell a word, you are essentially determining
the correct order of letters to represent the sounds and meanings of
words in a written form.

The following are four spelling strategies that can make the study of
spelling way easier:

1. Phonetic awareness: It involves understanding the relationship

between sounds and letters in words. To improve your spelling using
phonetic awareness you can practice sounding out words and
identifying their individual sounds or phonemes. Pay attention to vowel
sounds, consonants, and diagraphs, two letters that represent one
sound e.g. (ch in chat).
2. Rule-based spelling strategies: In this stage, you will have to learn by
knowing the basic rules in grammar and spelling like the sound /j/ it can
be spelled as j,g, or dge or the “i before e except after c” e.g. (believe
vs. receive), rules regarding suffixes and prefixes.
3. Visual memory: Good spellers often try to arrange words in a different
way to see which one looks correct. It is helpful when it comes to
homophones such as pray or prey or the most common one, two, to, or
too.
4. Morphemic strategies: Morphemic strategies involve an understanding
of how a word's meaning can impact its spelling. For example, many
words in English have Greek and German roots, and applying
morphemic strategies will help form new words.

As individuals develop their spelling abilities, they often employ a blend

of all four strategies when writing. Interestingly, many people may not
consciously recognize that they are utilizing these approaches to
spelling. With practice and proficiency, these strategies gradually
become second nature and are applied subconsciously.

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 Use Spelling Rules
A spelling rule is a guideline or principle means to assist writers in the accurate
spelling of a word. Spelling rules also can take the mystery out of spelling by
demonstrating patterns among seemingly unrelated words. Learning these rules will
help you see connections between unfamiliar words as well as words you already
know.

Here are 3 reasons why spelling is important:

Communication: Good spelling facilitates communication. By following the
same rule for spelling your words, we can all understand the text we read.
Comprehension: Good spelling avoids confusion. If a writer with intent and
proper spelling, the receiver of that will understand it.
Distraction: Poor spelling distracts the reader, and they lose focus. It's hard
to read a text for comprehension when it's full of spelling errors.

What are the most important rules in spelling?

1. Every word has at least one vowel.
2. Every syllable has at least one vowel.
3. Q is always followed by a U.
4. Double the consonants f, I and S at the end of a one - syllable word that has
just one vowel.
5. To spell the sound of K at the end of a word, we use ck or k. Use ck after a
short vowel. After everything else, use a k.
6. Capitalize names.

What are the four components of spelling?

1. Phonological Knowledge: Requires and understanding of phonemic
awareness and alphabetic awareness.
2. Visual Knowledge: The way words and letter combinations look.
3. Morphemic Knowledge: The meaning of words and how they take different
spellings when they change form.
4. Etymological Knowledge: Knowledge of word origins.
The most common grammatical forms.

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 1. Noun: A word to identify any of a class of people, places, or things.
2. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state or occurrence, and forming the
main part of the predicate.
3. Adjective: A word of phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically
related to a noun to modify or describe it.
4. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, ,verb ¿, or
other adverb or a word group expressing a relation of place, time,
circumstance etc.
5. Pronoun: A word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers
either to the participants in the discourse.
6. Noun phrase: A word or group of words that functions in a sentence as
subject, object or prepositional object.
7. Noun clause: A type of subordinate clause that acts as a noun in a sentence.

Types of tenses
1. Simple Present Tense
2. Present Continuous Tense
3. Present Perfect Tense
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
5. Simple Past Tense
6. Past Continuous Tense
7. Past Perfect Tense
8. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
9. Simple Future Tense
10. Future Continuous Tense
11. Future Perfect Tense
12. Future Perfect Continuous Tense

Difference between regular and irregular verbs.

Regular verbs: Are verbs who simple past and past participle are formed by
adding the suffix -ed. (walk - walked) (jump - jumped).
Irregular verbs: Are verbs that form their simple past and past participle in
some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed” (sit - sat) (swim, swam).

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 Avoid pronunciation errors that can lead to
spelling errors.

Spelling in English is not phonetic, meaning that the letters used to spell words do
not always make the same sounds. It is part of what makes English pronunciation a
bit hard. You cannot just look at a word and know with 100% certainty how to say it,
but then you get to notice that English has silent letters, that appear in words that
have no impact on how they are said, and then things get really complicated.

Examples:

1. Receipt - The P is silent. Pronunciation: Ruh-seat

2. Salmon - The L is silent. Pronunciation: Sa-men
3. Muscle - The C is silent. Pronunciation: Muh-sl
4. Asthma - The TH is silent. Pronunciation: Az-muh
5. Subtle - The B is silent. Pronunciation: Suh-dl
6. Florida - The I is silent. Pronunciation: Flor-duh

Some rules to understand:

Silent (B)

Rule 1: The letter B is usually not pronounced after M at the end of a word.

Rule 2: Letter B is usually not pronounced before the letter T.

Silent (C)

Rule 1: The letter C is usually not pronounced in the combination of SC.

Rule 2: Letter C is usually mute before the letters K and Q.

Silent (D)

Rule 1: The letter D is silent when it appears before the letters N and G.

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Silent (E)

Rule 1: If the letter E comes at the ends of words, it is generally not pronounced.

Silent (G)

Rule 1: The G letter is not pronounced when it comes before N in a word.

Silent (GH)

Rule 1: GH is not pronounced when it comes after a vowel in a word.

Silent (H)

Rule 1: The letter H is usually silent when it appears after W.

Silent (K)

Rule: The letter K is always silent when it precedes the letter N in a word.

Silent (P)

Rule: The letter P is not pronounced at the beginning of many words using the
combinations PS, PT, and PN.

Silent (L)

Rule: The letter L is usually not pronounced after the vowels: A, O, and U

Silent (N)

Rule: The letter N is not pronounced when it comes after M at the end of a word.

Silent (PH)

Rule: PH is sometimes pronounced like F.

Silent (S)

Rule: The letter S is not pronounced before L

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 Use strategies to improve spelling

Effective studying spelling words requires a lot of effort and an effective

approach where words can be memorized more easily. Here´s a step-by-step
process that can be helpful:

- Understanding definitions: Before you start using or practicing the

words, make sure there full understanding of the meanings of the
words, and look it up in the dictionary if needed.
- Don’t take more than you can handle: Section the words into small
lists, it will make it easier to memorize and learn the words.
- Practice makes perfect: Write the words out multiple times, and
repeat them out loud.
- Use mnemonics: Use challenges or games to learn the spelling of the
desired words in a different way.
- Writing in context: Try to form sentences or small paragraphs to add
the newly learned words, this will get you used to them on the daily.
- Use online resources: In this day and age almost everything can be
found on the internet, try to find interactive games or quizzes to
reinforce your learning.
- Review and correct: After each practice session, review your
mistakes and identify the weaknesses in the wrong words, so that you
can practice more.
- Consistency is key: Dedicate some time of the day to study
thoroughly, this will help for long-term retention.

Figure 1: What is spellingUsed under Twinkl Images license

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VOCABULAR
Y SKILLS

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 Use strategies to learn new words

You might be asking: Why is it important to expand your knowledge and use of
words? You'll be able to communicate (speak and write) more clearly and using less
words, people will understand you more easily, and you will understand more.
Learning new words is a fun activity -- and one you can even do with the people
around you. Challenge a friend, family member, or roommate to learn new words
with you.

Here are some easy ways to improve and expand the list of words you use in
English:

1. Read, read, and read.

The more you read -- especially novels, but also magazines and newspapers -- the
more words you'll learn. As you read and uncover new words, try to work out the
meaning from the sentence as well as from looking up the definition in a dictionary.
Write down new words. Your vocabulary will skyrocket!

2. Keep a dictionary and thesaurus handy.

Use whatever versions you prefer -- in print, software, or online. A good quality
dictionary is one hundred times better than google translate, and electronic ones are
quick! When you uncover a new word, look it up in the dictionary to get both its
pronunciation and its meaning(s). Next, go to the thesaurus and find similar words
and phrases -- and their opposites (synonyms and antonyms).

3. Build your own dictionary.

It's a very good idea to write down the new words you discover. Just by writing them
down you will start to recognize the words when you read. Plus, keeping a dictionary
of all your new words will give you the confidence to learn even more words --
especially when you can see how many new words you've already learnt.

4. Learn a word a day.

Using a word, a day calendar, a website, or developing your own list of words to
learn. This is a great technique many people use to learn new words. Don't feel you
must learn a new word every day.

5. Play some games.

Word games that challenge you and help you discover new meanings and new
words are a great tool for expanding your vocabulary. Examples include crossword
puzzles, anagrams, word jumble, Scrabble, and Boggle.

6. Engage in conversations.
Simply talking with other people can help you learn to discover new words. As with
reading, once you hear a new word, remember to jot it down so that you can study it
later -- and then slowly add the new word to your vocabulary.

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Finally, remember that you must practice putting your new words into your writing
and speaking so that you continue to remember them.

The Importance of Vocabulary Development

According to Steven Stahl (2005), “Vocabulary knowledge is knowledge; the

knowledge of a word not only implies a definition, but also implies how that word fits
into the world.” We continue to develop vocabulary throughout our lives. Words are
powerful. Words open possibilities.

How Vocabulary Affects Reading Development

From the research, we know that vocabulary supports reading development and
increases comprehension. Students with low vocabulary scores tend to have low
comprehension and students with satisfactory or high vocabulary scores tend to
have satisfactory or high comprehension scores.

The report of the National Reading Panel states that the complex process of
comprehension is critical to the development of children’s reading skills and cannot
be understood without a clear understanding of the role that vocabulary development
and instruction play in understanding what is read (NRP, 2000).

Incidental and Intentional Vocabulary Learning

Incidental Vocabulary Learning

Most students acquire vocabulary incidentally through indirect exposure to words at
home and at school by listening and talking, by listening to books read aloud to
them, and by reading widely on their own.

The amount of reading is important to long-term vocabulary development

(Cunningham and Stanovich, 1998). Extensive reading provides students with
repeated or multiple exposures to words and is also one of the means by which
students see vocabulary in rich contexts (Kamil and Hiebert, 2005).

Intentional Vocabulary Learning

Students need to be explicitly taught methods for intentional vocabulary learning.
According to Michael Graves (2000), effective intentional vocabulary instruction
includes:

● Teaching specific words (rich, robust instruction) to support understanding of

texts containing those words.
● Teaching word-learning strategies that students can use independently.
● Promoting the development of word consciousness and using word to play
activities to motivate and engage students in learning new words.

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 Use context, word parts and word origins to
determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Understanding how to decipher unfamiliar words is an essential skill in developing

strong vocabulary skills. By utilizing context, word parts (such as prefixes, suffixes,
and roots), and word origins (etymology), individuals can deduce meanings of
unknown words and enhance their overall language proficiency. Here's an expanded
discussion on this topic:

1. Context Clues:

Definition:
Context clues refer to the information provided in the surrounding text that helps
readers discern the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Usage:
● Definition or Explanation Context: Sometimes, the meaning of a word is
directly explained in the text. For example, "The cacophony, a harsh,
discordant mixture of sounds, filled the room."
● Synonym Context: A nearby word with a similar meaning can provide clues.
For instance, "She was very frugal and never wasted anything. She would
always find ways to save money."
● Antonym Context: Words with opposite meanings can also help. For example,
"Although he was quite gregarious, his brother was very shy and preferred
solitude."

2. Word Parts:

Definition:
Words are often made up of prefixes (before the root word), suffixes (after the root
word), and roots (the core meaning of the word). Understanding these components
helps decipher the meaning of complex words.

Usage:
● Prefixes: "Un-" often means not (e.g., unhappy - not happy).
● Suffixes: "-able" means capable of being (e.g., readable - capable of being
read).
● Root Words: "Bene-" means good or well (e.g., beneficial - producing good
effects).

3. Word Origins (Etymology):

Definition:
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and
meaning have changed over time.

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Usage:
● Latin and Greek Roots: Many English words are derived from Latin and
Greek. Understanding these roots can help decipher meanings. For example,
the Latin root "bene-" means good, so words like benefactor (a person who
does good) make sense.
● Cultural Origins: Words from different cultures might have similar meanings.
For instance, both the Spanish word "amigo" and the Italian word "amico"
mean friend.
● Historical Origins: Some words have evolved from historical events or figures.
For example, the word "quarantine" originated during the Black Death in
Europe, when ships were kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the
disease.

Benefits of Utilizing Context, Word Parts, and Origins:

1. Improved Reading Comprehension: Understanding unfamiliar words enhances

comprehension of texts, leading to better academic performance and critical thinking
skills.

2. Enhanced Writing Skills: A rich vocabulary allows for more precise and varied
expression in writing.

3. Effective Communication: The ability to grasp nuanced meanings of words aids in

effective verbal communication, making conversations more engaging and precise.

4. Lifelong Learning: A strong vocabulary is vital in learning new subjects, whether

it's science, literature, or any other field, enabling continuous personal and
professional growth.

In conclusion, employing context, word parts, and word origins is akin to having a
toolkit for deciphering the intricate code of the English language. By honing these
skills, individuals can navigate through a vast array of vocabulary, empowering them
to comprehend complex texts, express ideas eloquently, and engage effectively in
the world of words.

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 Choose the best word for a given
situation, making use of synonyms and
denotation and connotation.

The ability to choose the most appropriate word for a given situation is a
fundamental aspect of vocabulary skills. This involves understanding not only the
denotative (literal) meaning of words but also their connotative (implied or
suggested) meanings. Synonyms, words with similar denotations, might differ
significantly in their connotations, and selecting the right word can profoundly impact
communication. Let's explore this topic further:

1. Denotation and Connotation:

Definition:
- Denotation: The literal or dictionary definition of a word.
- Connotation: The emotional, cultural, or social associations that a word carries,
often beyond its literal definition.

Usage:
- Denotative Use: The denotative meaning provides the basic definition of a word.
For example, the word "snake" refers to a long, legless reptile.
- Connotative Use: The connotations of a word can evoke specific feelings or ideas.
For example, "snake" connotes deceit or danger in phrases like "a snake in the
grass."

2. Synonyms:

Definition:
Synonyms are words that have similar denotative meanings but might differ in
connotations or shades of meaning.

Usage:
- Selecting Appropriate Synonyms: For instance, consider the synonyms for "eager."
"Excited" might suggest positive enthusiasm, while "desperate" could imply a
sense of urgency or need.
- Contextual Relevance: Understanding the context helps in choosing synonyms. In
a formal context, "tenacious" might be more appropriate than "stubborn," even
though they are synonyms, due to the differing connotations.

3. Importance of Choosing the Right Word:

Effective Communication:
- Precision: The right word choice conveys the intended message precisely. For
instance, "thrifty" suggests careful budgeting, while "stingy" implies excessive
frugality.

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- Tone: Words can convey tone. "Resolute" and "obstinate" both mean
determined, but the former has a positive connotation of firmness, while the latter
implies stubbornness.

Impact on Writing:
- Literary Expression: Writers use connotations to create atmosphere and evoke
emotions. In poetry, for example, "silence" might carry a sense of peace, while
"hush" could imply tension.
- Character Development: Authors use word choices to define characters. A person
described as "thrifty" may be seen as prudent, while someone described as
"cheap" might be considered miserly.

4. Cultural and Contextual Considerations:

Cultural Nuances:
- Regional Differences: Certain words might have different connotations in various
English-speaking regions. For instance, in British English, "biscuit" refers to a
cookie, while in American English, it's a different baked item entirely.

Contextual Sensitivity:
- Formal vs. Informal Language: The choice between "persistent" (formal) and
"relentless" (informal) depends on the formality of the situation.
- Professional Settings: In professional environments, precise word choice is crucial.
In a business report, "cost-effective" might be preferred over "cheap," even though
they are synonyms, due to their differing connotations.

In summary, the ability to select the best word involves a deep understanding of both
denotative and connotative meanings, as well as the contextual and cultural nuances
of language. Mastery of these skills not only enhances communication but also
refines one's writing, allowing for nuanced expression and effective conveyance of
intended messages.

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 Use a dictionary
Why are dictionaries important?

You can use a dictionary to look up the meaning of any words that you don’t
understand. A dictionary is one of the most important tools during your time studying
at a university. A good dictionary can help you understand your subject better,
improve your communication and improve your grades by making sure you are using
words correctly.

You can use a dictionary to find the following information about most words, terms,
and phrases:

● spelling
● definition
● word class
● pronunciation
● synonyms
● origin

Why Use a Dictionary in the 21st Century

We live in a digital world where auto-correct is both our best friend and our worst
enemy. We type a word, and our device often predicts what we are trying to write
before we finish our thoughts. Sometimes it chooses a better word than intended or
predicts a completely unrelated word that we have to correct. Writing reports and
completing homework is much easier because of this modern technology. We can
always count on spell check to catch our mistakes, highlight misspellings, correct
grammar and develop sentence structure. The advancement of technology is helpful,
but the speed with which we’re getting our words on a page and having our mistakes
automatically changed isn’t challenging us to comprehend what we’re saying, or why
it’s being corrected. This is one of the biggest reasons why teaching dictionary skills
and encouraging future generations to look up unfamiliar word definitions is a must.

Expanding Vocabulary and Improving Education

Flipping through a paper-filled dictionary helps students acquire a broader

vocabulary, learn the correct spelling of words, understand pronunciation and
improve reading comprehension. The dictionary encourages them to analyze
different meanings of an unknown word with example sentences and understand
which one makes the most sense in their context.

Promoting Lifelong Learning Habits

The dictionary lists words alphabetically and groups them together using guide
words. When students learn the alphabet and they’re able to effectively navigate
through a dictionary, they feel comfortable doing so with other educational
resources, thereby becoming self-sufficient learners.

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Decoding the Dictionary

Looking up words you don't know can be time-consuming, especially if you don't
know which definition to choose when you open the dictionary. Understanding when
to look up a word, how an English dictionary is organized, and which definition to
choose will help you effectively use the dictionary to improve your understanding of
academic texts.

First, decide when to use the dictionary: Before looking up a word, see if you can
guess the meaning based on context. Read the whole sentence and continue to read
the whole paragraph to see if you can guess the meaning of the word based on the
information that surrounds it. Identify the word's part of speech, if you can, to help
you guess the meaning. Look for prefixes and suffixes or root words that point to the
meaning. If you are still confused or think you are missing important information, now
is the time to take out the dictionary.

Second, decide which type of dictionary to use: Online dictionaries have the
advantage of being free, portable, and easily accessible. However, there are several
different types of dictionaries available.

● Learner Dictionaries use simple vocabulary in their definitions to help

English Language Learners understand what words mean; they do limit the
number of definitions they present, so they may not be the best choice for
more advanced English students.

● Bilingual Dictionaries allow you to see the English definitions and a

translation of the word into another language; however, using this type of
dictionary can make it more difficult to remember the word later, since you are
already familiar with the word in the other language.

● Native English Dictionaries will give the most definitions of a word, but not
all are created equal. Choose a dictionary based on your variety of English
(American vs. British, for example) that includes links to other forms of the
word, example sentences of word use, and synonyms and antonyms.

Third, understand how a dictionary is organized: Online dictionaries allow you to

type the word into a search bar to find an entry. Within each entry, you will see the
word, its part of speech, its pronunciation, and one or more definitions. Each
definition will also usually include a sample sentence to help you determine how the
word is used and whether that definition matches how the word is used in the text
you are reading.

Last, determine which definition is the correct definition: If a word has several
definitions, first identify which part of speech is appropriate for the word based on the
context.

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 CONCLUSIONS
Spelling, grammar, and word choice send a message about the identity of the writer
and convey information about how that person functions from a professional
perspective. That message is just as powerful as the way you dress or do your
make-up.

Correct grammar and punctuation are crucial components of effective

communication. They help to convey meaning accurately, enhance readability,
convey professionalism and attention to detail, enhance credibility and authority, and
facilitate communication in a global context.

Learning how to spell correctly helps to develop literacy skills by allowing them to
use words correctly and express themselves in writing. By being able to spell words
correctly, children are able to understand the meanings of words better and can also
write more accurately.

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