Introduction

Incorrect spelling is heavily penalised in our society - so heavily that it keeps people from getting jobs they want or prevents them from moving up to better positions. Inability to spell gives people complexes just as much as unsureness about grammar or proper methods of dress and social behaviour. The development of literacy skills is vital to every student's success at school. The ability to spell accurately is an integral part of their literacy development. Poor spellers are normally inhibited in their creative writing efforts, they often have low self-esteem which impacts on their performances in other curriculum areas.

Spelling with the exception of a limited number of the commonest words is a matter of individual learning. No two children wish to make use of exactly the same words in their written expression. Children are at different stages of spelling development. It makes sense to use currently available technology to assess the stage of a child's spelling development and to use a program which builds on their existing skills and remediates gaps or weaknesses they may have.