An evaluation of spelling pronunciations as a means of improving spelling of orthographic markers

In 4 studies we tested the efficacy of artificial, letter based pronunciations to support poor spellers in building up stable orthographic representations. In all 4 studies children's spelling skills improved during training. However, the experimental group who was trained to articulate a spelling pronunciation before spelling the word did not show a larger benefit than a well matched control group receiving the same type of training, but without spelling pronunciations. Thus, in a series of well-controlled studies using different sets of training words and slightly different training methods spelling pronunciations turned out not to be of specific help to acquire word spellings. On the contrary, knowledge of spelling pronunciations seems to be a by-product of acquiring the correct spelling.