WORD FREQUENCY SPELLING SYSTEM

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29101, 13 January 1960, Page 13

WORD FREQUENCY SPELLING SYSTEM

Schoolchildren in New Zealand primary schools will soon learn how to spell in a new way by using a system based on how often words are used in everyday life. Children who work their way through the first book of the new system should be able to spell all the words in the first paragraph of this article, except for “primary,” "based” and "system.” This is because the three words do not get a mention. Most of the words in the paragraph belong to the first frequency level, according to the book. However, “spell,” “used,” and “life” are rated as second frequency, and “New Zealand,” “learning,” “using,” “often” and "words” belong in the third frequency group, third frequency group. Prepared and published by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, the book is called “Alphabetical Spelling List.” The word frequency system was adapted by the council from

“Spelling Words lists A, B, and C,” published by the New York City Education Board. Listed alphabetically, each word has its frequency level classification alongside. The words go from A (frequency 1) to zoo (frequency 3). Each word appears twice in large size; first in hand printing and then in script. The book has a seven-point introduction in meticulously simple English—except for the words frequency and level that do not appear in the alphabetical list—telling children how to use the spelling system. “Alphabetical Spelling List” was compiled mainly by Dr. G. L. Arvidson, of the University of Wellington. Book 1 lists words up to words go from A (frequency 1) frequency level three, but later books will take spelling to frequency level seven. Preparation of the new spelling system began in 1957 when the New Zealand Educational Institute asked the educational research council to prepare a basic

spelling list for schools. Dr. Arvidson, with a small committee, carried out a careful study of research done on the teaching of spelling. Recommendations made by the committee were approved by the N.Z.E.I. and the council decided to sponsor the work of preparing and publishing the list. One of the things the committee decided to do was to list 2700 words used most often and divide them into frequency levels. Before going ahead with the list, the committee sent it to teachers, lecturers and school inspectors throughout New Zealand. Dr. Arvidson noted their comments and suggestions along with his own research material. The result is “Alphabetical Spelling List” Book 1, with the first 1200 words. A teacher’s guide to the new system has also been written by Dr. Arvidson. It is called “Learning to Spell.” This guide outlines for teachers the best way to use “Alphabetical Spelling List.”