Sunday, May 16, 2010

Phone texting 'helps pupils to spell

Everyone has been assuming that texting and the shorthand associated with it, is terrible for children and reduces their ability to spell, write and so on.
This article from the BBC references a study that shows - NOT SO! Texting is good! It helps children to learn language skills and does not necessarily create a world of poor spellers!

"Children who regularly use the abbreviated language of text messages are actually improving their ability to spell correctly, research suggests.

A study of eight- to 12-year-olds found that rather than damaging reading and writing, "text speak" is associated with strong literacy skills.

Researchers say text language uses word play and requires an awareness of how sounds relate to written English.

This link between texting and literacy has proved a surprise, say researchers.

These latest findings of an ongoing study at the University of Coventry contradict any expectation that prolonged exposure to texting will erode a child's ability to spell."

1 comment:

Tech IT Solutions said...

That's a nice research.I have been thinking that this phone texting might be destroying the writing power of students due to the excess use of short forms but now I am happy that it actually helps pupil.