Reprint of the original, first published in 1878.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ENGLISH SPELLING RULES is the most complete and detailed guide to English spelling rules ever written. Most people consider English spelling to be an intimidating tangle but John Fulford easily and carefully leads the reader through the linguistic maze and proves that there is a great deal of logic to English spelling. Written for the layperson, the book explains all and every spelling problem with plentiful examples and illuminating comments. The reader learns when to use a single or a double l. When to use the diphthongs oy and oi, and the difference between the "shuns" tion, sion, cion, tian, cian, xion, ssion, sian. And there's plenty more! THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO ENGLISH SPELLING RULES is the 'Must Have' book for every teacher, editor and writer, as well as an extraordinarily valuable aid for parents and for foreign students learning English.

A recent survey of 200 teachers asking the question ‘spelling is...?’ resulted in the following adjectives: ‘difficult’, ‘complex’, ‘confusing’, ‘random’, ‘confounding’. Spelling for Life offers lucid, accessible tools which help to reveal that, when explicitly and systematically taught, spelling is scientific, law-abiding and even elegant. It explains that spelling is the manipulation of symbols according to agreed-upon patterns that produce predictable results. Spelling errors also fall into sets of predictable patterns. Success in spelling is not a product of intelligence. Many people struggle to spell due to coping strategies developed in place of explicit instruction. What gives spelling its ‘complex’ veneer is the fact that different ways of thinking are required at different levels from word to word. Some words can be spelt as they sound, others have to be visually memorised and some rely on knowledge of core rules about word-structure. A lot of words require more than one strand of knowledge. This book makes clear which strand needs to be applied in different situations. Often pupils who can read and express themselves competently nevertheless find spelling difficult. False assumptions about spelling, such as believing the English language is complex and/or irregular, damage confidence and lead to reluctance to even attempt to spell correctly. Spelling For Life enables teachers and pupils to: learn what the common spelling coping strategies are gain insights into undoing poor spelling habits work together to notice patterns not only in regular spelling, but also in words which on the surface seem to break the spelling rules practise successful spelling strategies, progressing from simple to complex words rapidly and with confidence. Using a synthesis of theory, research and teaching experience, the fascinating nature of English spelling is systematically teased out. The examples and exercises offer an encouraging, accessible way to implement the programme of study and strive to reveal the beauty of spelling. Aided by example lessons, progressive assessments, unique tools and extensive practice lists, this highly acclaimed overview of spelling succeeds in developing critical thinking and confidence when reading and spelling. It can be used in conjunction with any established phonics programme.

Basic Spelling has been designed to introduce students to the basic rules and conventions governing spelling. The text begins with a self-assessment questionnaire to establish the students' strengths and weaknesses. Also included are examples from everyday sources and a range of realistic exercises activities. A chapter of further activities gives students additional opportunities for practice and revision. A checklist of the 250 most commonly misspelt words is also provided.