Spelling for success

Professor Tom Nicholson is a specialist in children's literacy at Massey University's Institute of Education. He tells Kathryn Ryan that a child who learns to spell properly is more likely to reach their full potential in life. Concerned that in an age of digital messaging spelling has become the 'Cinderella' of literacy education, Dr Nicholson says being a good speller is vital - especially for formal writing like job applications. He thinks phonics are the key to cracking the code.