Comparing Different Pedagogical Techniques to Teach Spelling at a Saudi High School: A Case Study

Abstract

This study investigates whether teaching spelling to high school students using different techniques, i.e. copy, cover, compare and flip folder, would improve students’ spelling. Additionally, it explores students’ opinions and perceptions towards these techniques. The research conducted in Granada high school in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Thirty-six male students participated in this study whose levels according to the course book were assumed to be B1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In this study, a mixed research method was used where data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The first group was taught using copy cover and compare method (CCC), which emphasizes repeated practice when errors occur in students spelling, whereas the second group was trained using the flip folder technique which is a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques that were believed to enhance memorization. A post-test was utilized immediately after the intervention and the results showed that the CCC group outperformed the Flip Folder group.