How best to help Y8 improve spelling, punctuation and grammar?

[notatigermother]

I think that somewhere along the line my ds has missed out on learning how to write correctly in terms of grammar, punctuation etc. His style is still quite simplistic and "chatty" and although his teachers are reasonably happy with his levels I'm concerned that if he doesn't get a solid basis in grammar, sentence structure, how to write an essay etc then he will suffer later on in his school years.

As he is definitely not scientfically minded I think that being able to write well will be important for him in his a-levels and beyond. He seems to enjoy history and RS and so I imagine he will lean towards these sorts of subjects in the future.

He's in Y8 and there's not a lot of pressure on at school so I'm thinking that this is the ideal time to address the issue and set him up for the future. The question is what is the best way to help him?
Is it a tutor? Or are there some good workbooks? I don't have the time to sit down and work with him but I would probably be able to mark some of his work if he were able to do it himself. Any thoughts? Anyone been here before?

I would go for a Tutor if you live in London I can give you the number or somone

Another good way of improving spelling,grammar ECt is letter writing

I got my son a pen pal also writing thank you letters whenhe gets a gift of gets invited out getting him to write out the shopping list s

Also cutting down on commuter games and playing games like boggle and scrabble with him will help loads

Also one thing I do with my son is the spell it game

Basically if he wants somthing he has to spell it before he can have it so he wanted to go and go to town he had to spell the town and the name shopping centre or when he wants some chocolate he has to spell it

Thanks maypole. I will consider tutoring but I wondered whether trying something else first might be a good way to start.
He's a bit old for the spell it game, but I think I might use it on younger dd.

Anyone else got any ideas for how best to proceed to give a 13 year old a boost on improving grammar and punctuation?

I would also recommend a tutor. I am empolyed in a secondary school working with year 8s and doing exactly what you talked about. I only see students for a term and I find that they make good progress in this time (if they have the 'want to learn attitude'!)
You could try looking at a book such as the Usbourne Book of Better English (it is on Amazon) and I suggest you work through it with him. It covers spelling, punctuation and grammar

Why not try getting him to read up with you on some of the fun/interesting stories from the newspapers? Music groups, celebs, sport, travel ? if he sees a story or two he likes then analyse a short extract with him.

Note how the professional journalists use language. There will be plenty of points to note ? the regular use of effective adjectives and descriptive verbs. Short sentences, too. Alliteration will typically be over used in the press but is often witty. It could be turned into to a bit of fun trying to spot techniques and words that paint better pictures than others.

Most of the newspapers are free at www.thebigproject.co.uk/news/ and google Creative Writing Magic Money Cards, they are super for all the grammar and techniques.

Enjoy the journey.

reading really helps and if your really stuck toe by toe is good, it is used for dyslexics but it makes the child read out loud the word, it improved my DD2's spelling so much!

Headsprout comprehension - helps with reading, comprehension and sentance structure etc - some bits a bit American but they can get on with it on their own

Thanks for all the great suggestions! I am working my way through them all and have already got DS to write his letters to relations thanking them for xmas presents etc!