Spelling better

[webguy]

Hello,
Looks like I should have named the post "improving my spelling".
What would be the best way to improve my spelling? I'm on a computer all day, but the spell checker is not going to help me with this. I all ways worry, that people are going to find out that I can't spell.

Thank you for your help.

Webguy

[Humble]

Hi Webguy,
I'm afraid you won't like my advice - just write (not type) more, copy texts etc. Visual memory is supported by motor memory. Sometimes when my mind goes suddenly blank and I'm puzzled over spelling I try to switch off my brains and let my hand write it. It works!
Some people are very intelligent but make awful spelling mistakes. I had a pupil (a bright boy of 15), whose Russian spelling was appalling. Ironically, his English one was excellent. I ascribe it to the fact he wrote a lot in English - besides numerous grammar exercises he always copied some short texts he had to translate: each English sentence was followed by his translation.
I think other members will suggest some less boring methods.
Best wishes.

[Tdol]

The English spelling system is a real mess, so it is hard to give clear advice on this. However, you are on the computer all day- what sort of work are you doing?

Try to keep track of your repeated mistakes.

Which of these would you use:
definately/definitely
separate/seperate
accomodation/acommodation/acomodation/accommodation
These are fairly common ones that people have trouble with. If you could give us a few concret examples of words you repeatedly have trouble with, we could make some more specific suggestions.


Also, as a cheat, always refer to your spelling mistakes as typos.

[dzmitry]

Excuse me. I'm not going to give any usefull advise. It's just a small comment.

Originally Posted by Humble

just write (not type) more, copy texts etc. Visual memory is supported by motor memory.

I don't know if this fact means anything. I've learnt how to write correct one combination of letters that is often used in English words thanks to computer keyboard. It is combination "ght" (e.g. weight). These buttons are placed close each to other on a keyboard. I don't have any other idea how to remember their order. :)
I've recalled one advise. All my teacheres said that you should read as much as possible and it helps to improve your writing :)

[mykwyner]

Here's one of the oldest jokes I know.

A man with a violin case is walking down the street in New York City. He sees a poor street musician who is playing the violin and begging for money. The first man asks the beggar, "How do I get to Carnegie Hall (a very famous classical music auditorium)?" The beggar replies, "Practice, my son, practice."

I am giving you this same advice for learning spelling. I'm afraid there is no other way.

Practice, practice, practice...then practice some more

[Humble]

And
You can get it if you really want...

[Tdol]

Also, try to learn the spelling mistakes that people look down on- there's a lot of snobbery in those who are judgmental about spelling, avoiding making mistakes with 'definitely' helps.