Spelling development : a comparative study of adult learners and grade seven children
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Date
2003
Authors
Boras, Julie
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2003
Abstract
This study examines the spelling development of adult learners and Grade 7 children. The
study investigates this central question: Does the spelling development of adult learners
differ from that of Grade 7 children? It also addresses sub questions about spelling
development and its association with age, gender differences, and first language
experiences. The study explores other factors affecting a student's perception of spelling
ability. The participants for this research were drawn from two groups. The first group
consisted of a cluster sample of 18 students registered in a reading or English class in the
Upgrading program at a southern Alberta community college. Students registered in this
course were over age eighteen and had been assessed by the Assessment Centre as having
a scale score of 541-560 in the writing skills section of the Canadian Achievement Test
(CAT). The other participants in the study were 14 classroom children from two Grade 7
rural schools in southern Alberta. These children were approximately twelve or thirteen
years of age. The performance of adult learners and Grade 7 children on the Wide Range
Achievement Test (WRAT3) was compared according to Henderson's five stages of
spelling development. Participants' responses, using the Likert scale, to 20 statements
derived from the literature were also compared. The results ofthe study reveal that the
spelling development of the adult learners did not differ from that of Grade 7 children;
however, there were differences in gender and perception. This information helps to
suggest causes of and reasons for the differences between adult learners and children in
Grade 7 and explores implications for teaching.
Description
viii, 69 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
English language -- Orthography and spelling -- Study and teaching , Spelling ability , Adult education