tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355643440964865816.post5485862029086220652..comments2024-03-26T19:18:46.162+00:00Comments on The Spelling Blog: Homophones - How not to teach them.Johannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16298865019130446615noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355643440964865816.post-43097227821517798552012-02-27T19:59:18.048+00:002012-02-27T19:59:18.048+00:00We say 'arrent' in Scotland!
But serious...We say 'arrent' in Scotland! <br /><br />But seriously, I agree, Johanna. And not just regarding spelling - teachers and books that try to separate two easily confused something-or-others are just creating trouble there there was none before.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17100032923373338585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355643440964865816.post-75008418772920180602009-09-22T13:47:06.820+01:002009-09-22T13:47:06.820+01:00You're right, Alex. I was of course just talki...You're right, Alex. I was of course just talking about teaching spelling, but certainly students need to use context to identify which meaning is appropriate. And yes, I have also used them for pronunciation. Telling learners that 'aren't' is pronounced the same way as 'aunt' (for me) is sometimes enough to shock them out of saying 'arrent'. It's just in spelling, especially with weaker learners, that teaching homophones is problematic.<br /><br />JohannaJohannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16298865019130446615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355643440964865816.post-48147135214612605362009-09-22T12:20:08.614+01:002009-09-22T12:20:08.614+01:00I can see your point for spelling (and the example...I can see your point for spelling (and the examples of ones to do are great), but I find homophones is a great topic for pronunciation (students often try to pronounce sounds that don't exist, sometimes not even in their own language, to make distinctions they don't need to) and listening comprehension (knowing when and how to rely on context rather than sound differences to comprehend)Alex Casehttp://www.tefl.net/alexcasenoreply@blogger.com