Writing Systems

There are over 7000 languages in the world. These have a variety of writing systems and sometimes combine two or more systems. Below are the types of writing systems used.

1. Alphabetic languages use a written symbol (letter) to represent a sound. Spanish, Swahili, and English are alphabetic languages.

2. Syllabic languages use a written symbol (syllabary) to represent a syllable. Japanese, Cherokee, Vai, and the Yi languages of eastern Asia are syllabic languages.

3. Logographic languages use a written symbol (logogram) to represent a whole word. Chinese is a logographic language.

4. Mixed systems: Some languages contain a mixture of letters, syllabaries, and logograms. Ancient Egyptian is an example.

Direction

Languages have different directions of writing.

1. Right-to-Left Direction: Most of the world's languages are written from right to left. Russian, Portuguese, and English are written this way.

2, Left-to-Right Direction:  Arabic and Hebrew are well-known languages written in this direction.

3. Top-to-Bottom Direction: Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese are written from the top to the bottom.

EYE STRESS

If a student is illiterate or has a language with a different script, looking at English letters and words may stress their eyes. Students must become accustomed to seeing the English script.

HANDWRITING

Handwriting is an important part of learning English. Students who have a different writing script, must be taught how to write letters and numbers. Handwriting helps connect the auditory sound with the visual letter in the brain and is essential for reading well.

 Handwriting by Strokes is a unique method of teaching handwriting quickly and efficiently.