1. Reading 101
Phonetic Skill -
Using Syllables as Spelling Aid

2. Learning Objectives

To re-discover and improve on our innate
ability to sound out words correctly. This is
called Phonetic Skill.

To apply phonetic skill while making spelling
choices and learning new words.

3. Introduction
Making the right spelling choices, especially for
new words that are both long and unfamiliar,
can be a struggle for some students. For
example, can you spell these words after one
look?

rendezvous

diaphragm

ostentatious

moribund
The good news – you have already have the
ability inside you to help you spell correctly!

4. Introduction

Almost all young language learners in
Singapore – an English-speaking nation –
acquire the spoken language first before
learning to read and write.

As a result, you have far more number of years
and expertise in speaking English, than in say,
writing.

Is it any wonder then that writing, as a skill
introduced to you later than speaking, is far
more challenging?

5. Phonemes and Syllables

Since you know far better on how to speak and
read, use these skills in aiding you in writing;
specifically, in making the right spelling choices.

As you can recall, the basic sounds that make up
all words are called phonemes.

A group of phonemes that constitutes a beat in a
word is called a syllable. For example,
‘marvellous’ = /mar/ + /vel/ + /lous/ (3 syllables)
‘liquorice’ = /li/ + /quo/ + /rice/ (3 syllables)
‘clever’ = /cle/ + /ver/ (2 syllables)
‘cat’ = /cat/ (1 syllable)

6. Applying Phonemic Awareness

95% of any English word can be split up into
syllables like what you have just seen.

Before you can write, remember, you learnt
how to speak and read.

So, before spelling, you need to read the word
aloud. IN other words, say the word’s syllables
first then learn its spelling!

This will help you to spell correctly and learn
new words quickly.

If you need help, a good dictionary such as
Oxford can help you to read the syllables of

7. Applying Phonemic Awareness
Some words come naturally to us because of its
high frequency even with its many syllables:

Comprehension = /com/ + /pre/ + /hen/ + /sion/

Encyclopedia = /en/ + /cy/ + /clo/ + /pe/ + /dia/
Others, with 1 or 2 syllables, we learn quickly
and effortlessly:

School = /school/

Prefect = /pre/ + /fect/
Whichever the case, remember to 1) read a
word’s syllables aloud and 2) spell before 3)
committing to memory.

8. In summary

Learning how to spell new words can be tough
without a proper strategy.

By applying phonemic awareness we have
acquired as a young learner, we can break a
word into its syllables.

Doing so will help us to remember the words
we want to learn easily and quickly.