초등학생의 영어 스펠링 쓰기 능력과 스펠링 조작

Spelling accuracy and spelling sophistication of primary school children

  This study explored the correlation between English spelling accuracy and the sophistication of spelling errors of Korean elementary school students. To accomplish this purpose, spelling tests were administrated to 291 fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. The data from the tests was analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Firstly, the percentage of accurate spelling was examined across the three levels. Secondly, the quality of the students" spelling errors was analyzed from a developmental spelling view. Finally, the correlation between spelling accuracy and the quality of spelling errors across the three levels was examined. The results of the study showed that there is a significant positive correlation between spelling accuracy and the quality of spelling errors, which ranged from .91 to .95 across the three grade levels. The top thirty percent of students misspelled fewer words and presented better orthographic strategies on the words they did misspell. Whereas the bottom thirty to fifty percent of students misspelled more words and presented a lack of orthographic knowledge and its correct manipulation. Students" invented spelling data revealed that the higher level students had more phonological and orthographic knowledge than the other group of students. As the grades increased, students exhibited the ability of differential spelling sophistication. Based on these results, it is suggested that spelling instruction should be adjusted according to the students" level because poor orthographic knowledge can be an obstacle to becoming a fluent reader and writer of English.