Exceptions to the rule

(like ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after c.... weird, huh?)

Lisa Bockelman, Reading Specialist

Most people agree that English is one of the most challenging languages. I often hear people comment about all the exceptions in this language. While there are nuances, 98% of English words follow what most people refer to as the “rules.” Reading and spelling become less cumbersome when these rules are explicitly and methodically taught. This means that teachers will take the word as a whole and break it down into manageable and meaningful parts.

The 26-letter Latin alphabet can be deceiving because it is inadequate to spell all 44 sounds of English. So, to accommodate for this discrepancy, multi-letter combinations were made to represent the sounds called a phonogram. Also, the English language is derived from many different languages, which allows English to have a variety and choice of spelling of sounds. The 44 sounds can be spelled 75 different ways, some of which make more than one sound. This is when knowing the word’s origin is essential. For example, four ways to spell the /f/ sound exist (f, ff, ph, gh). If you know the word’s origin is Ancient Greek, it will most likely be spelled with a ‘ph’ but pronounced /f/.

Even though English has a complex phonetic system, students can become effective readers and spellers if taught with a systemic approach. The first skill that needs to be developed is phonological awareness, which is the ability to hear and manipulate sounds. After acquiring this skill, letter(s) and sound correspondences are introduced over the years until the sounds and basic phonograms, the symbol representing the sound, are mastered. As phonograms are taught, spelling patterns will become part of the lessons. The 31 patterns or rules will allow students to choose how to read and spell words correctly.

After reading this, you may not be convinced that English is a logical language. Learning all the sounds and ways to spell them may also appear overwhelming. However, when these lessons are introduced at the Primary level (3-6 years of age) and carried through the Upper Elementary grades (9-12 years of age), English becomes logical to students. Then, once in secondary levels (middle and high school), students will be able to read and spell the most challenging words. If you would like to learn more about the English language, I recommend the book, Uncovering the Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling, and Literacy by Denise Eide.