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Original poster

Should a primary teacher be able to spell?

125 replies

Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:05

Last year our primary teacher couldn't spell, I assumed that it was a one off. It's happened again this year with a different teacher. The teacher commonly changes the correct spelling for an incorrect one it seems, separate to seperate, a lot to alot and so on.

Does it matter for Y2 or Y3? I haven't complained as I see no upside. Perhaps it really isn't important, no one values it so much any more, that much is clear.

OP posts:
vj32 · 14/04/2011 15:31

If it is only a few odd mistakes over a whole year I would leave it. Probably she was tired rather than that she can't spell. If she is consistently making mistakes then that is totally different and needs following up.

coolascucumber · 14/04/2011 15:33

It's important for teachers to promote beautiful spoken English (that doesn't mean no regional accent) and written English but just as important for the teaching assistants as well. The standard of some TAs is just terrible. I would love to know if a couple of ours have any qualifications apart from being able to stick their noses up the head teacher's backside.

olderandwider · 14/04/2011 15:33

Ye gods and little fishes! Of course teachers should be able to spell.

TheVisitor · 14/04/2011 15:34

The basics - yes. I was just replying about that particular phrase. Homophones seem to be a dying art - that's definitely something I'd agree with. Oh, and LOOSE and LOSE are misspelt again and again. Makes me twitch. Grin

Prunnhilda · 14/04/2011 15:35

This will help alot if you don't like seeing it written as one word. (TBH I don't see that misspelling a lot on Mn, either.)

NoWayNoHow · 14/04/2011 15:35

cortina if it's not a problem for you, then why did you post about it?

There are two issues here: (a) if she is as bright and competent as you say, then she should be aware that spelling is a weakness with her and (like someone else said) use a dictionary to double check her work, and (b) she is ACTIVELY changing correct spellings and substituting them for incorrect ones.

I'm sorry, but that's not acceptable. When children are this age, this is when they get the foundation for spelling and grammar that will influence their literacy levels for the rest of their lives. If the foundation is shaky/confusing, that isn't fair on them.

And in answer to your question, yes, spelling and grammar really do still matter. If I received a CV with many spelling and grammar mistakes (especially in the age of "spellcheck"), it went straight to the bottom of the pile.

Bonsoir · 14/04/2011 15:37

Yes.

TheVisitor · 14/04/2011 15:38

Love that link, Prunnhilda. Grin

Original poster
Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:38

Vj32 I agree. I make the point as I've just seen another example recently and I think it points to lack of basic education. Complaining to the head about an individual won't help, it's a widespread problem IMO and only one aspect of teaching. We can spell-check when using a PC but let ourselves down when we mark books or similar and have no method of immediate correction or a checking facility.

OP posts:
Goblinchild · 14/04/2011 15:40

'We can spell-check when using a PC but let ourselves down when we mark books or similar and have no method of immediate correction or a checking facility.'

Dictionary

olderandwider · 14/04/2011 15:42

"We can spell-check when using a PC but let ourselves down when we mark books or similar and have no method of immediate correction or a checking facility".

I find the Pocket Oxford Dictionary is pretty good spell checker Smile.

Original poster
Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:42

How many teachers reach for a dictionary when checking Y2 work?

OP posts:
olderandwider · 14/04/2011 15:42

Goblinchild - snap

olderandwider · 14/04/2011 15:43

Clearly not enough to go by the posters on here

Lollypolly · 14/04/2011 15:43

Anyone who needs to write as part of their job should be able to spell. Presume primary school teachers can add up?

Goblinchild · 14/04/2011 15:43

It depended on how many times I'd seen 'frend'
Marking books can take on a hypnotic quality

Hammy02 · 14/04/2011 15:44

It isn't just that she is correcting incorrectly, she will probably be missing mis-spelt words too so children will continue mis-spelling. Luckily Cortina has spotted the problem but some parents couldn't give two hoots so it will go un-noticed.

madwomanintheattic · 14/04/2011 15:46

my absolute favourite is when the spelling list comes out with an error. Grin

i do have to rein myself in on the walk to school to stop myself turning into a shrieking spelling list wielding maniac.

thus far i have contained my emotion and managed to point out the error in a calm and measured way.

i also get extremely gripped when spellings are marked (either right or wrong) incorrectly in the spelling tests. i re-mark them at home. the excuse for this is apparently peer marking. but it is always the teacher's handwriting at the bottom of the page. Hmm so even if it is peer marked, one assumes she glanced at the page in order to comment.

given that mine are now yr 6,4 and 2, i do recall assuming 6 years ago that it was just the one teacher.

NoWayNoHow · 14/04/2011 15:46

lollypolly that's a very valid point - OP, would you be this laid back about it if the teacher was teaching your children basic incorrect maths?

Original poster
Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:48

Goblinchild tell them: Friends Ring Italy Every Night During Summer (FRIENDS) and have them draw a picture of a person on the phone to a friend in Italy. That or FRI the end of Friends. Worked for my son :).

OP posts:
Bucharest · 14/04/2011 15:51

Of course a teacher should be able to spell.

So should a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker. Although I wouldn't complain about them. (I'd still chunter a bit though)

Goblinchild · 14/04/2011 15:51

I teach Y6 now, so the spellings tend to be considerably trickier, and my trusty Collins is well-thumbed. I am an excellent speller, but I still like to double-check if it's for an audience.

Original poster
Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:53

Peer marking presents some other issues madwomanintheattic. My son has a list of spellings or some other phonics type exercise marked by a peer, between them they make many mistakes - Skiping, jumpping etc. Peer marks as correct and often draws a lovely, smiley face and the teacher ticks at the bottom of the page? It might be these mistakes are explained and dealt with but when I flag with my son it seems this isn't the case. No time apparently in class, so we do at home. Increasingly those that don't have help at home fall behind.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cortina · 14/04/2011 15:53

Peer marking presents some other issues madwomanintheattic. My son has a list of spellings or some other phonics type exercise marked by a peer, between them they make many mistakes - Skiping, jumpping etc. Peer marks as correct and often draws a lovely, smiley face and the teacher ticks at the bottom of the page? It might be these mistakes are explained and dealt with but when I flag with my son it seems this isn't the case. No time apparently in class, so we do at home. Increasingly those that don't have help at home fall behind.

OP posts:
YusMilady · 14/04/2011 15:57

What are you going to do OP? Are you going to dob her in to the Head? Be prepared for the Head not to be able to spell either

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