Spell It Out

Topic: Alphabet

Mode: Interpretive; Interpersonal

Level: Novice

Students will listen to a name or word being spelled and write down the letters that they hear.

Components of this activity: Recording, a worksheet

Students will practice listening to words being spelled and spelling words verbally.

Instruction to the teacher

There are three versions for this activity below. For version 1 and version 2, choose a variety of level-appropriate words or names in your language to expand the activity. Either make a recording in advance or read the spellings aloud to the class. For version 3, give students a spelling list and have them practice in pairs.

Version 1: Words

Instructions to students

Listen carefully and write down the letters you hear.

  1. N-I-C-E
  2. T-A-L-L

Version 2: Names

Instructions to students

Listen carefully and write down the letters you hear.

  1. M-E-L-O-D-Y
  2. A-B-H-I-S-H-E-K

Version 3: Practice in Partners

Instructions to the teacher

  1. Prepare a list of ten words that you would like your students to practice spelling. It could be the newest vocabulary that they learned in class. 
  2. Pair students. Divide the list into two so that each student in a pair gets to spell five words while the other cross checks for correctness.

Instructions to students

  1. In pairs, take turns to read out a word to your partner and ask them, “How do you spell this word?” 
  2. Listen as your partner spells. Confirm that their spelling is correct.
  3. You can either alternate or one person can read all the five words in their list first.