Cast a spell this Halloween
According to research recently published by television channel Nick Jr., the word Britons most struggle to spell is ‘embarrassment’. Now, before you hang your head in embarres, embaras, er – shame – the research also found that around 50% of adults have problems with their spelling.
The introduction of spellchecks and autocorrect on phones has resulted in many falling into the trap of thinking that their spelling ability is better than it is. Although these tools serve a useful purpose, it is just as important that people of all generations learn, maintain and develop good literacy abilities including spelling, vocabulary and grammar as communication is key to progressing in your career as well as being a valuable life skill.
As an organisation with its roots founded on helping people in communities to support themselves, an area Scottish Friendly is particularly focused on is literacy.
We have supported reading and literacy to remote and disadvantaged areas in Scotland and more recently throughout the UK for many years by sponsoring the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour. It is an outreach tour organised by Scottish Book Trust, the independent organisation promoting literacy through reading.
Alongside this, we are also running a competition, Letterfall, which invites wordsmiths to play an online word game and contend against challengers from across the country, for the coveted title of ‘Letterfall Champion’. The winner of the tournament will win a £600 prize and an all expenses paid trip to our hometown, Glasgow.
To practice your spelling and put your word skills to the test this Halloween, check out our highly addictive game, Letterfall, here: www.scottishfriendlyletterfall.co.uk
The 10 most common words that Britons struggle to spell are:
- Embarrassment
- Fluorescent
- Accommodate
- Psychiatrist
- Occasionally
- Necessary
- Questionnaire
- Mischievous
- Rhythm
- Minuscule