Spelling & the Alphabet for Writing
Spelling is a core writing skill. At A1 level, you need to spell your own details and everyday words correctly so people can read and understand you. This lesson covers the English alphabet, vowels and consonants, and the most useful spelling patterns for beginners.
Spelling is a core writing skill. At A1 level, you need to spell your own details and everyday words correctly so people can read and understand you. This lesson covers the English alphabet, vowels and consonants, and the most useful spelling patterns for beginners.
1. The English alphabet
English has 26 letters. Five are vowels: a, e, i, o, u. The other 21 are consonants. Every word needs at least one vowel sound.
| Vowels | Consonants (examples) |
|---|---|
| a, e, i, o, u | b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p… |
2. Spelling your name out loud
You often need to spell your name letter by letter (on the phone, at a bank, filling a form). Practise saying each letter clearly.
- “My name is Aisha — A-I-S-H-A.”
- “Omar — O-M-A-R.”
3. Double letters
Many common English words have double letters. Missing one is a very common beginner mistake.
| Correct | Common wrong spelling |
|---|---|
| address | adress |
| letter | leter |
| coffee | cofee |
| happy | hapy |
4. Plurals: adding -s and -es
To make most nouns plural, add -s. If the word ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, add -es. If it ends in a consonant + y, change y to i and add -es.
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| add -s | book → books |
| -ss/-sh/-ch/-x → add -es | box → boxes, class → classes |
| consonant + y → -ies | city → cities, baby → babies |
Examples from EduCareer
- Aisha wrote her address with two d’s and two s’s.
- Omar has three boxes of books. (box → boxes)
- Yusuf visited two cities last year. (city → cities)
My adress is here. → My address is here.
Two boxs. → Two boxes.
Three citys. → Three cities.
I am a studnt. → I am a student.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
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