Spell It To Me: A Word Learning Strategy for Grade VI Pupils of Dalipit Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Researches in the field of education often focus on the needs of the learners, to develop new knowledge and improve teaching practices. Spelling as an inseparable part of the written communication program is one of the very important factors to increases the ability of anyone to develop quality written reports. It is necessary for pupils to enhance their spelling abilities for it also aids in reading. In this study, we weighed the common difficulties encountered in spelling with the possible remedies in it and ended in an innovative spelling activity guide.

METHODS

Different methods design was used. We had a test on the Basic Dolch's word list. A set of questionnaire and the pupils' outputs were also used in gathering the data. Observations, focal group discussions, and interviews were conducted.

RESULTS

Pupil respondents ranked the common difficulties they encountered in spelling as follows: 1) poor pronunciation with a weighted mean of 4.08, 2) not paying attention to the lesson with 3.91 weighted means, 3) poor comprehension at 3.84, 4) insufficient learning in the English grammar with 3.81, 5) poor penmanship at 3.70, 6) lack of understanding of the word at 3.68, 7) no motivation to recite a word with 3.65,8) poor habits in studying the lessons at 3.59, and 9) did not memorize the word with 3.24 weighted mean. After evaluating the problems they encountered, possible remedies to overcome the difficulties immediately followed. These are: 1) motivate the pupils to have good study habits at 4.24 weighted mean, 2) encourage the pupil to read at 3.78, 3) more practice on writing with 3.76, 4) motivate pupils to bring English dictionary at 3.73, 5) remind to pay attention to the classes with a weighted mean of 3.70, 6) memorize the lesson at 3.49, and 7) have a 10 minute oral recitation with a weighted mean of 3.43. After the identification of the various difficulties as well as their possible remedies, an action plan was made. This focused on some activities which could be employed to help the pupils learn to spell words. Included in the plan of action is the making of spelling worksheets through the activity guide.

DISCUSSIONS

The results showed that after identifying the difficulties, there is a need to work out for possible remedies. A proposed action plan was also developed to help teachers, future researchers and even parents in preparing spelling programs and activities suited to the pupils. Innovation through a Spelling Activity Guide for Grade VI was also created. It was used by the Grade VI English teachers not only in Dalipit Elementary School but also in the whole district of Alitagtag, Province of Batangas.