The teacher shows his pupils how to rely on grammar in spelling the words. The
more the pupils get acquainted with grammar, the more will they rely on it in their
spelling.
For example, the pupils have learned the plural of nouns in the English
language. Now they know that the ending
s
is added, though it sounds either [s] as
in
maps
or [z] as in
pens
; in both cases they must write
s
.
In the words
famous
,
continuous
it is necessary to write
ous
, as it is an
adjective-forming suffix. In the words
dislike
,
disadvantage
it is necessary to write
i
and not
e
as the negative prefix is
dis
.
Copying
applies equally well to the phrase pattern and the sentence pattern with
the same purpose to help the memory, for pupils should not be asked to write, at
least in the first two years, anything that they do not already know thoroughly
through speech and reading. Every new word, phrase or sentence pattern, after it
has been thoroughly learnt, should be practised by copying.
Copying may be carried out both in class and at home.
In copying at home the pupils must be given some additional task preventing
them from performing the work mechanically. The following tasks may be
suggested:
(a) underline a given letter or letter combination for a certain sound;
(b) underline a certain grammar item;
(c) underline certain words depicting, for example, the names of school things.
The additional work the pupil must perform in copying a text or an exercise
makes him pay attention to the sound and meaning of the words. This kind of
copying is a good way of ensuring the retention of the material. It must be
extensively applied in the junior and in the intermediate stages.
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