What does the research suggest is the best way to improve spelling? The truth is, a range of multiple strategies applied to a range of different contexts is probably key. That being said, Cognitive Science does provide us with some indication of what might help. This blog specifically looks at the role that interleaving can play in improving spelling…
So, read on to explore:
- What Interleaving is
- What the research says about its impact on spelling practice
- The curious role prior knowledge plays in the effectiveness of Interleaving and spelling
- How to practically apply these findings
A quick refresher on Interleaving
Interleaving is a learning strategy where different problem types are mixed together during practice, rather than studied one at a time (known as Blocking). For example, instead of practising ten words with the same spelling rule in a row, students might rotate between several rules within a single session.
How Interleaving can help younger students with their spelling
A recent study from the University of Würzburg in Germany had over a hundred students learn words based on specific rules, such as when to use capital letters, double consonants, or the spelling of words with “i” versus “ie.” Each student practised some spelling rules in a blocked format and others in an interleaved format.
Two of the things the researchers looked at were how students felt during the Interleaving practice and how many spellings they remembered 2 months later. Here is what they found:
1. Students felt Interleaving was harder and thought they learnt less
Students felt they learnt less with interleaved practice. Specifically during practice, they were 1.7 times more likely to make spelling mistakes, found it 13.6% harder and rated their learning as 4.3% less successful compared to blocked practice. This is a common learning trap; when something feels harder, we often assume we’re not learning, particularly when we keep coming up with errors and wrong answers.
2. Interleaving boosted long-term learning (but only for some students)
Two months later, students who had used interleaved practice made 8.3% fewer errors on the practised words than those who had used blocked practice. However, this long-term benefit only appeared in students who already had average to high prior knowledge of the spelling rules.
The researchers suggest that for students who already knew a bit about spelling, the Interleaving provided a good challenge and helped them build on that knowledge. Essentially, their background prior knowledge helped them spot patterns and make useful comparisons.
For students who didn’t have much prior knowledge, the task may have been too difficult and felt too overwhelming. If they haven’t yet mastered the basics, jumping between rules can cause cognitive overload, making it hard to connect the dots. Consequently, while they could remember individual word spellings in the short term, they might have struggled to understand and apply the underlying rules in the long run.
Practical Tips for the Classroom
Based on the study findings, here are two ways to make Interleaving more effective when learning spellings:
- Build prior knowledge first – Interleaving works best when students already understand the basics. Try giving them a strong foundation in the key spelling rules so they can make better connections and remember more in the long run.
- Help students understand the learning process – Let students know that learning might feel harder with Interleaving, and that’s a good thing. Feeling challenged means their brain is working hard, which leads to deeper, longer-lasting learning.
Final Thoughts on Interleaving for Spelling
Interleaving can make spelling practice more effective by encouraging students to think harder and make deeper connections. While it may feel more challenging, this struggle is often a sign of better learning. By combining Interleaving with a solid foundation of prior knowledge and helping students understand the value of effortful learning, teachers can support long-term progress and boost spelling success for their young learners.
Read More on Interleaving
To read more about Interleaving, you may like the following blogs:
