This document discusses using the predictive text (T9) feature on mobile phones to teach spelling to students. It notes that English spelling has inconsistent letter-sound correspondence. The approach involves having students type words on the number keys without looking, so that incorrect spelling is noticed when the predictive text does not auto-complete the word. The advantages are that T9 is readily available, easy to access, and promotes students' noticing of correct spelling through feedback from the predictive text system.

1. TeachMeet March 2012
T9 – Can it teach spelling?

2. Background
• English spelling – always a tricky area
• 26 letters – 44 sounds – no one to one
correspondence between spelling and
pronunciation
• Unlike many Indian languages

3. Problem
• Spelling – tendency to go by pronunciation takes
over

4. T9 – an introduction
• Text on 9 keys
• Predictive text technology
• Found in most of the mobile phones
• Single tap vs. multi-tap
• Programmed to learn the user-preference

5. T9 – spelling lesson
• Students are encouraged to type the word by
pressing the numbers where they think the letter
is without looking at the screen
• If the word is not there the predictive text will
stop and ask
• Students notice the spelling

6. Advantage
• Ready to use
• Easy to access
• Promotes ‘noticing’

7. What’s this?
• 842650968