Grades 1-8 · Ages 6-14
Spelling Tutor Online: Patterns, Rules and Practice
Spelling taught as patterns and word parts, not just weekly lists, so it improves in your child's real writing.
Prefer to ask a question first? Chat on WhatsApp
How it works, in short
TaleemSquare spelling tutoring teaches children how English spelling works, in live, one-to-one lessons. Tutors cover sound-letter patterns, spelling rules such as doubling and dropping e, prefixes and suffixes, and strategies for irregular words, then practise through dictation and your child's own writing.
Children who understand patterns stop forgetting words after the Friday test. Plans start at $85 a month after a free assessment.
- Format
- Live, one-to-one, online
- Lesson length
- 45 minutes
- Level
- Ages 6-14
- Price
- From $85 a month
What changes after a term of lessons
Spells by pattern
Uses sound patterns and rules to spell new words instead of guessing.
Remembers tricky words
Has a strategy for irregular words and common errors, so they stop coming back.
Better spelling in real writing
Spelling improves in stories and assignments, not just on spelling tests.
What we cover
Lessons follow your child's own school or homeschool curriculum. These are the areas we work on most at this level.
Sound-letter patterns
Different ways to spell the same sound, such as ai, ay and a-e.
Spelling rules
Doubling consonants, dropping e, changing y to i, and when rules have exceptions.
Prefixes and suffixes
Adding un-, re-, -ing, -ed, -tion and -ous correctly.
Homophones
Their, there and they're; to, too and two; and other easily confused words.
Irregular and tricky words
High-frequency irregular words and memory strategies for them.
Proofreading
Finding and fixing spelling errors in your child's own writing.
Signs your child could use help
- Passes the spelling test, then misspells the words later
- Writes words the way they sound
- Mixes up homophones
- Avoids writing because of spelling
- Spelling much weaker than reading
- Teacher mentions spelling in every report
One of these on its own is normal. Two or three together usually point to a specific gap, and finding it is what the free assessment is for.
Taught to your curriculum, wherever you live
Common Core Foundational Skills and Language standards
Spelling is part of phonics in Grades K-2 and of language conventions in later grades. Tutors align with your child's school spelling program.
National Curriculum English: spelling appendix and statutory word lists
The National Curriculum sets spelling patterns for each year and statutory word lists for Years 3-4 and 5-6. Spelling is tested in the Key Stage 2 grammar, punctuation and spelling test.
Level: Years 2-9
Ontario Language curriculum (other provinces similar)
Spelling patterns and word study run through the Language curriculum, connected to phonics in the early grades and morphology later.
Level: Grades 1-8
Australian Curriculum: English and NAPLAN conventions of language
Spelling develops through phonics and morphology, and NAPLAN's conventions of language test includes spelling in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
Level: Years 1-8
Inside a 45-minute spelling lesson
One 45-minute session. Tutors adjust the timings to your child.
6 min
Review
Words from previous patterns.
10 min
New pattern
Exploring a pattern or rule with examples.
11 min
Sort and practise
Sorting and writing words with the pattern.
8 min
Dictation
Writing sentences read aloud by the tutor.
6 min
Proofread
Checking a piece of your child's writing.
4 min
Wrap-up
Practice words sent to you on WhatsApp.
How we teach spelling
Patterns over lists
Words are grouped by pattern, so one lesson helps with hundreds of words.
Say, sort and write
Children say words, sort them by pattern and write them, which uses several senses at once.
Dictation
Short dictated sentences check spelling in context, closer to real writing than a list.
Error analysis
Tutors study your child's mistakes to find the patterns that need teaching.
After each class you get a WhatsApp note: what was read, what clicked, and one thing to practise at home.
Simple monthly plans
$85a month for 2 one-to-one reading and English lessons a week
- Free 45-minute assessment first
- No contract, cancel any month
- No registration fee
- 4-class money-back promise
- Switch tutor at no cost
- WhatsApp update after every class
Starter
2 lessons a week, best for keeping up with school
$85/mo
GrowthMost chosen
3 lessons a week, best for catching up + building confidence
$119/mo
Intensive
4 lessons a week, best for exam prep & fast improvement
$149/mo
Common worries, honest answers
“My child reads well but can't spell.”
This is common, because spelling requires producing a word exactly, which is harder than recognizing it. Pattern-based teaching usually helps a lot.
“Could poor spelling be a sign of dyslexia?”
Persistent spelling difficulty can be one sign, among others. We don't diagnose, but we can share what we notice so you can decide whether to seek an assessment.
“Spelling tests at school are every week.”
Tutors can include your child's weekly words, taught through their patterns, so the test and long-term learning both improve.
Frequently asked questions
How can I help my child with spelling?
Why does my child spell words correctly on the test but not in writing?
What are the statutory spelling lists?
How much does spelling tutoring cost?
Can spelling tutoring help my child's writing?
What age is spelling tutoring for?
Book a free 45-minute assessment
Your child meets a tutor for a real one-to-one session. You get an honest read on where they are and what would help, even if the answer is that they don't need tutoring right now.
- 1
We reply on WhatsApp
Usually within 10 minutes, to find a time that suits your family.
- 2
Your child meets the tutor
A relaxed 45-minute session to see their level and how they learn.
- 3
You decide
You get a recommendation and a plan. No card details, no pressure.