10 Responses

1. skillswise website
   You could try the BBC Skillswise website http://www.skillswise.co.uk – it has resources for tutors of literacy and numeracy

2. Stylewriter
   Try Stylewriter. It acts like performance support- checking your work as you work.

3. plain english
   try http://www.plainenglish.co.uk They are a independent organisation aiming for all public info to be written in Plain English. They provide trainer training materials, on line courses and provide stand up delivery on all the areas you’ve mentioned.

4. CTAD
   Hi there, you might like to try an organisation called Cambridge Training and Development – CTAD.co.uk

   They develop all sorts of training material focused on literacy, numeracy etc and all of it IT based. I’ve always found them helpful and very knowledgeable. And no…I don’t work for them!

5. Spelling, grammar and vocabulary
   Joanne,

   I don’t mean to offer a trite answer here, but I would steer away from on-line products at the outset.

   Spelling, as a subset of writing, is a visual art and must be practised. You can learn about spelling through an on-line product, but you can’t learn spelling, and learning and learning about are very different.

   Spelling can be improved by more reading, a lot of writing (not typing) and having someone helpful on hand who will correct, supportively, where necessary.

   Many poor spellers struggle with spelling because they use an inappropriate internal representation system – say kinaesthetic instead of visual. Try asking the poor speller to look upwards and remember seeing the word which is causing difficulty and get him/her to read out the letters he/she sees in his mind’s eye in doing so. For a right-hander, ask him/her to look up and left – for a left-hander, suggest up and right. If looking in one of these directions doesn’t work, get him/her to experiment until the appropriate direction is found and the spelling will quickly start to improve.

   Vocabulary is developed through reading and through use. We all have a much bigger passive than active vocabulary, and sometimes people lack the confidence to try out “known” words actively for fear of mistake or ridicule. I would encourage the person to try out new words. Every day, introduce a new word or two. Check the definition of the word, and find an opportunity to use it a couple of times during the day. To reinforce the idea of good spelling, write it down a few times, too. This will begin to fix the word in the active vocabulary.

   Grammar is harder. One of the best ways to learn about English grammar is to learn another language. This teaches English grammar as a by-product. If the poor grammar manifests itself in written work, then an e-learning or on-line package is not going to help. Again, written work with supportive correction is a far better starting point.

   I’m afraid there is no quick fix here. If someone emerges from school with poor grammar, it’s unlikely that they will quickly improve. I’d suggest a lot of reading, a lot of writing and a friendly editor!

   Sorry this isn’t directly answering your query, but to me it offers a more comprehensive solution.

   Regards

   David
   David Cotton Associates Ltd
   http://www.davidcottonassociates.com

6. Can be done!
   My organisation has developed such an approach. We use a virtual learning environment – Blackboard – and we have developed a site for students at Key Skills stage 2/3 to support the very things you seek. Our language/communication tutors have developed a pilot elearning course to support classroom tuition.
   I’d be happy to refer to one of our staff and let you see what we have done. We avoid commercial packages and try to use the talents of our staff instead.

7. Don’t go on-line
   Hi

   I tend to agree with the respondent who advised against going on-line. Deficiencies in spelling, grammar etc are probably best remedied in a supportive environment, rather than a cold ‘watch that screen and learn’ environment.

   Jonathan Sindall

8. Reading!
   I loved the two websites from other respondees and had enormous fun playing – but have to agree with another of your respondents – reading will definitely improve spelling in grammar (but make it non-American authors!).

9. Online test
   For spelling look at http://www.juliebutler.co.uk and click on Training Fun.

   I challenge even the best spellers to get 10/10 every time!

   You can look up the word, see examples in context and the derivation, and get some help with UK v US spelling.

   Of course, you could get your people to learn Latin, French, Greek and German: that would help!

   P.S. This answer vanished while I was editing it, so I’ve reposted it.

10. Do you know the best way to
    Do you know the best way to learn or improve your English(spelling, grammar and vocabulary)skill is to take an English for Speakers of Other Languages course, often known as ESOL?The course is segmented into four domains of eg.speaking, reading, writing and listening. it also touches upon spelling, grammar and punctuation.The course approaches with audio clips help explain key fundamental concepts of the English language.  Students can also access to an online social forum, where students can interact with each other and practice their new English skills.