Spelling Fusion

overview

Spelling Fusion is an interactive product designed to aid spelling and improve vocabulary for students aged from 12 upwards. It has a word bank of nearly 4000 words, which can be heard in a British-voiced pronunciation. Every word in the dictionary can be heard as singular or plural (or both). The program offers word games, exercises and tests on a variety of subjects (including food, home, people, places, school and time) at two discrete levels. Spelling Fusion is aimed at students of ESL, EFL or for improving literacy for native speakers. It can be used on a single computer or as a networked resource, with individualised pupil tracking. Students can print a record of their progress although this option can be turned off to reduce paper wastage.

Although Spelling Fusion is not directly linked to the National Curriculum it does offer good support in improving literacy. There are good photographs to illustrate the comprehensive word bank, and a wide range of activities to maintain pupil interest. Words are shown in context, which helps students to gain understanding and hopefully to improve retention. The high provision of spoken content is also a benefit to dyslexic students who do not need to decipher written instructions before commencing a task.

Students can work at their own learning pace as none of the activities are timed, thus removing pressure from low achievers. The use of a multi-sensory approach to learning should also benefit these students. Another boon to learning is the option to enter a word that pupils have come across but don’t know. They will then be given the opportunity to hear the word in a number of relevant sentences. The word can also be accessed from the vocabulary list where it will be displayed in context with a suitable photograph.

Both male and female voices are used, avoiding gender stereotyping. The pronunciation is clear but natural, without unnecessary stress on words or syllables.

Spelling Fusion is a very well designed product that offers a lot of scope for individualisation to suit individual learners and different learning skills. In a climate where schools can be expected to pay hundreds of pounds for programs that are badly put together and ill-thought-out, it is refreshing to come across such a useful product at a really keen price.

Product information on the supplier's site