Spelling mistakes can affect your score in the listening and writing tests. Many students get low IELTS Score in the listening exam because they make spelling mistakes. If you have a same problem with spelling, here are some tips to reduce your spelling mistakes:
1. Make a spelling list
Every time you make a spelling mistake, write the correct spelling of the word on a list. Write down any mistakes your computer/ teacher finds. When writing by hand, use a dictionary to check difficult words. Hopefully the list of words that you can spell correctly will grow and grow.
2. Learn by heart
The only way to make sure that your spelling improves is to learn difficult words by heart. Learn the words on your spelling list, and test yourself once a week.
3. Rules don’t help very much
You could easily get lost in the labyrinth of English spelling rules. It’s easier to remember the spelling of individual words than it is to remember all the rules.
4. Get a dictionary ‘app’ for your phone
Do you look up words in a dictionary at least once a day? Having a dictionary application on your phone makes it easy. The Merriam-Webster dictionary app for the iPhone is a good one (and it’s free).
5.Check spelling before submitting
Test yourself on words you previously spelt wrongly. Never submit to your teacher an essay that you haven’t checked.
If you find that spelling is a big problem, you should work on it every day. Keep a notebook or put posters on your walls. If you do nothing, you will not improve; there is no secret rule that will suddenly solve the problem!
How to test your spelling mistakes
Try this exercise to test your spelling for IELTS listening:
- Go to the back pages of one of the official Cambridge IELTS books, and find the answers to one of the listening tests.
- Record yourself (on your phone) reading the answers. Do this quickly, without trying to memorize any spellings.
- The next day, listen to the recording and write each word down.
- Check your spelling of each word.
- Pay attention to any spelling mistakes, and keep a list of words that caused you problems.
Related IELTS Resources
Take a practice test to find out what is your current weakness in terms of IELTS scale and allow more time to improve your weak spots. The following IELTS resources will help you to develop your skills faster: