The Spelling Game The Spelling Game That Develops the Working Memory and Increases Vocabulary

This Spelling Game teaches spelling, improves the working memory and increases vocabulary. When the author was teaching English, it became evident that the students not only had problems with spelling but this problem was exacerbated by a very limited working memory. We know that our language is stored in our brains according to the sounds of words. (Thus, when we are recalling language, we often make mistakes and recall incorrect words that sound very similar to the ones intended.) Learners often have difficulty in retaining information in the working memory for any length of time. In addition, at first, the information that they can store is very limited. This game uses our awareness of these difficulties and improves spelling and the working memory as well as increasing vocabulary in the students. Words that sound similar and contain similar patterns are grouped together. Part of the engagement with the spelling includes the need to know the meanings of words before using them. Thus, in many of the students, their vocabulary will increase as part of the process. Pictures are used to interrupt the recalling process and to engage the learner in other activities before producing the word(s) being taught thereby forcing students to retain the word(s) in their working memory for a longer time than usual. The pages are designed to be used flexibly. Learners can gradually increase the amount of information they try to retain in their working memory until they can measure their success by remembering more and more at each session. This game is suitable for self-teaching for people of all ages, and is ideal for pair work in classes. It would involve only supervision on the part of the teacher.