Conferences Attend a conference presentation online or in your geographical area and learn more about the research and science that is the foundation of Learning By Design's products. Check this page regularly for updates or join SpellTalk (it's free) to receive email announcements about conferences scheduled in your area!   Booth # 310 Learning By Design, Inc. ASHA Annual Convention November 20-22, 2008 McCormick Place West | Chicago, Illinois Visit Learning By Design (Booth # 310) in the ASHA Exhibit Hall. Print this page and bring it to our booth (# 310) at the ASHA 2008 convention to receive a free gift! Limit one per customer.   Online Courses Dates Open for Self Study The Language of Spelling and Reading SPELL and SPELL-Links author, Dr. Jan Wasowicz, explains the linguistic underpinnings of spelling and word-level reading (decoding) and examines a multiple-linguistic method of assessment that uses error analysis of misspelled words to identify an individual's linguistic deficits in phonological awareness, orthographic, semantic, and morphological knowledge, and mental images of words stored in long-term memory. Specific language-based instructional activities that improve reading and spelling skills are demonstrated.   Online Courses Dates Open for Self Study What Do Spelling Errors Tell Us About Language Knowledge? Like reading, spelling is a written language skill that draws upon an individual’s repertoire of linguistic knowledge. That knowledge includes phonological awareness, knowledge of orthography, vocabulary, morphology, and semantic relationships, as well as mental orthographic images. Each of these areas of linguistic or "word study" knowledge contributes to spelling success and a deficit in any one will manifest as a specific pattern of misspelling. Accordingly, the analysis of an individual’s spelling errors can be used to identify underlying linguistic deficits. SPELL and SPELL-Links author Dr. Jan Wasowicz examines spelling as a language-based skill; describes specific patterns of misspelling associated with different types of linguistic deficits; and describes the steps of a prescriptive spelling assessment which uses error analysis to identify the specific language knowledge deficits.   Online Courses Dates Open for Self Study Improving Written Language Skills Through Multiple-Linguistic Spelling Instruction Spelling and word-level reading are written language skills that draw upon an individual’s repertoire of linguistic knowledge. That knowledge includes phonological awareness, knowledge of orthography, vocabulary, morphology and s emantic relationships, as well as mental orthographic images. Although spelling (encoding) and word-level reading (decoding) draw upon these areas of linguistic knowledge in different ways, each type of linguistic knowledge contributes to spelling and reading success. A collective body of current research demonstrates the importance of integrating multiple linguistic processes within spelling instruction. SPELL and SPELL-Links author Dr. Jan Wasowicz explains spelling and reading as a language-based skills; gives examples of how an individual’s linguistic knowledge contributes to the spelling and reading processes; describes instructional principles and specific activities to improve a student’s spelling, reading, and writing skills; and summarizes research that has documented the effectiveness of multiple-linguistic word study instruction for improving reading and spelling.   Online Courses Dates Open for Self Study Language, Spelling, and Learning The success of students’ academic, vocational, and social endeavors often hinges on their reading and writing abilities. Recent research and theories regarding the development of students’ literacy skills should serve as the driving force behind the evaluation, intervention, and instructional procedures used to promote these abilities. In this workshop, SPELL and SPELL-Links author Dr. Kenn Apel will focus on one area of literacy: spelling. Spelling is a window into an individual’s language system. This workshop will provide an overview of the language foundations of spelling based on current research and theory. Using this information, specific guidelines and suggestions will be offered for spelling assessments that speech-language pathologists and other specialists can be prescriptive in their intervention services. Finally, sample activities that serve to promote linguistic growth for spelling will be discussed.   Online Video Seminar Dates Open for Self Study SPELL and SPELL-Links authors Drs. Kenn Apel & Julie Masterson present "Word Level Reading and Spelling Assessment: Solving the Puzzle." Recent research and theories regarding the development of students' literacy skills should serve as the driving force behind developing these abilities. This first of two modules takes an integrative look at two specific areas of literacy development: word-level reading (decoding) and spelling. The factors that contribute to development in these areas are highlighted and the impact these factors have on students' developing literacy skills are reviewed. Using this information, specific guidelines and suggestions are offered for assessment of word-level reading and spelling.   Online Video Seminar Dates Open for Self Study SPELL and SPELL-Links authors Drs. Kenn Apel & Julie Masterson present "Word Level Reading and Spelling Assessment: Solving the Puzzle." Recent research and theories regarding the development of students' literacy skills should serve as the driving force behind developing these abilities. This first of two modules takes an integrative look at two specific areas of literacy development: word-level reading (decoding) and spelling. The factors that contribute to development in these areas are highlighted and the impact these factors have on students' developing literacy skills are reviewed. Using this information, specific guidelines and suggestions are offered for assessment of word-level reading and spelling. Click here to invite one of our distinguished speakers to speak at your organization's next conference or to arrange an on-site professional development workshop.