First-year university students are the worst spelling offenders, despite spending 13 years of their lives in the education system, according to a 2008 Telegraph report. The report states that basic words, such as “their”, “speech” and even “Wednesday”, are incorrectly spelt by them. To put British university students to further shame, the report states that students from Singapore and Brunai make fewer spelling mistakes, despite speaking English as a second language.
Correctly spelling a word is of the utmost importance for students and professionals alike. For a university student, one spelling mistake is the difference between a first class grade and an upper second class grade. For a professional, it is more detrimental. Because of an overlooked spelling mistake, they could lose a client or even worse, get fired. And finally, for a business, it is most detrimental and damaging. Their reputation could be tarnished.
So proofers have prescribed a few tips for students, professionals and businesses struck with this illness.
Everybody reads, right? Because of the advent of the internet, smartphones, touch tablets….the list can go on, books have been shelved. Instead of reading, we are spoilt for choice; either we can play video games at the touch of a button or catch up with the latest episode of Eastenders with a swipe of a finger.
As you read more, you’ll notice an improvement in you spelling. You don’t have to constrict yourself to books. Today, the news is available at the swipe of a finger. Quality and red top newspapers, such as The Guardian and The Daily Mail, have expanded into the realm of mobile applications. While you’re commuting to university, work or home, you can catch up with the latest transfer bid for Manchester United or, if you more serious, you can stay parallel with the latest news on Boris Johnson. Our point is that you should read if you want to improve your spelling.
If you’re more serious about spelling, go one step further. Use a dictionary. Yep, that thick book which we glanced at primary school and then dropped as soon as we realised that it contained words. If you unsure about the spelling of a word, just flick through a dictionary to find the correct spelling. In fact, you don’t need a dictionary. Today, a dictionary is available at the click of a button. Websites, such as thefreedictionary.com contain the meanings of words which are almost practically unknown.
Most importantly, pass your important document to the well-trained eyes of a proofreader. Most professional proofreaders are avid readers, who enjoy reading a variety of topics. Day in, day out, they are practising their skills, so they are naturally talented at spelling difficult words.