Ah, here's a topic I can really relate to! If you think spelling abilities have deteriorated among the younger generation, you're absolutely right - and here's why.
About 10 years ago a new trend swept through the education system. Many educators spend no time in the classroom. They are beaurocrats and planners, so-called experts. How one learns to read, and the spelling of words has not changed in over 100 years. So how do these planners justify their existence? By rolling out brand new ways of learning to read.
When I was a kid, we learned by the phonics method. We also learned grammar starting in grade 6. About 10 years ago this method was scrapped. Correct spelling was "elitist", it was "cultural imperialism". Alternate spellings were declared to be ok. Kids checked each other's work. Grammar was no longer taught. This was declared to be progress.
Teachers, those on the front lines, were incredibly frustrated. They had just been deprived of one of their most important tools for teaching. In parent-teacher interviews, I've had numerous teachers confide in lowered voices that they still snuck phonics into the classroom, because that is the best way to learn - tried and tested over many years.
We wouldn't show up for a job interview in dirty, wrinkled clothes, because we realize it's important to make a good first impression. When the first impression is something written, such as a resumé, or even a post on the internet - that first impression is one of a slovenly person, and unfortunately, whether it's that person's fault or not, one of someone who doesn't care much.
As I say to my design students, many of whom are from other countries and cultures, you MUST spellcheck. If you're not familiar with correct grammar and syntax, enlist help from someone who is.
Bad spelling creates the impression you don't care. And if you, the author don't care - why should anyone else?
I then give them a list of common trouble words, ones the spell-checkers won't catch: there/their/they're, to/too, its/it's etc.
The fact is though, that when all we old fogies are dead and gone, it's the young people of today who will be setting the rules. R U wurryd yet?
Val
