General Principles of Spelling

Regular practice is key to improving spelling. Use your writing as a test – proofread it to spot any mistakes.
Understanding the root words, prefixes, and suffixes can help recognise spelling patterns and tackle unfamiliar words.
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings and often different spellings. Be aware of common ones such as ‘there’, ‘their’ and ‘they’re’.
Make use of reference materials like dictionaries (online or physical) and spell-check software, but don’t rely on them exclusively.

Commonly Misspelt Words

Be familiar with a list of commonly misspelt words, such as ‘accommodation’, ‘necessary’, ‘separate’, and ‘definitely’.
Spot the patterns in these words, like double-consonants, silent letters, or unusual combinations of letters.
A mnemonic can help you remember tricky spellings – for example: ‘one Collar, two Socks’ helps you remember how to spell ‘necessary’.

Spelling becomes easier if you understand the meanings of words and how they are used in context.
Reading a variety of texts can expose you to new words and reinforce the spelling of familiar ones.
Using synonyms in your writing can not only show off your vocabulary, but also give you practice spelling different words with similar meanings.

Use a systematic approach to checking your spelling. You might read a sentence/paragraph backwards to focus better on individual words.
Knowing the rules of English spelling helps, but remember there are exceptions (‘I before E except after C’… but not in ‘weird’).
Understand common proofreading symbols (like ‘sp’ for spelling error) to help you spot and correct mistakes in your writing. They are typically used by teachers and exam markers.