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Why Weekly Spelling Tests Don’t Work – and Why Immersive Reading is Better
Many schools still use weekly spelling tests based on dictated word lists. This may seem traditional, but for children with dyslexia or ADHD, it’s a method that may set them up to fail.
Why spelling tests don’t work for many children
• They test isolated words read aloud by the teacher. Real life spelling happens in context – in sentences, notes, or stories.
• They rely on phonics recall, which is exactly where many dyslexic/ADHD children struggle.
• Even when given ‘easier lists,’ the process itself still causes failure.
• Repeated failure leads to embarrassment, low confidence, and in some cases, children giving up on reading altogether.
What works better: Immersive Reading
• Built into Audible,Microsoft Word, iPads, and other devices.
• Reads words aloud while highlighting them on screen – so children both see and hear them.
• Lets children read books at their understanding level, not their ‘baby book’ reading age.
• Removes embarrassment: they can use headphones independently without a TA sitting beside them.
• Builds vocabulary naturally – children learn complex words in context (science, animals, space) without even realising.
• ✅ Independent at home: children can use immersive reading without needing an adult to sit beside them. That means much more time spent with books – and it’s a positive alternative to ‘passive screen time.’
Why parents should ask for change
• Under the Equality Act, schools must avoid practices that put disabled pupils at a disadvantage.
• Persisting with dictation-style spelling tests does exactly that.
• Immersive reading isn’t just a SEND tool – it’s good for all children, and it prepares them for real-life reading and writing.