Spelling-rules? do they rule?

Schools to rethink 'i before e'
The spelling mantra "i before e except after c" is no longer worth teaching, according to the UK government.

Advice sent to teachers says there are too few words which follow the rule and recommends using more modern methods to teach spelling to schoolchildren.

RHYME IN FULL
I before E except after C when the sound is EE
and sometimes followed by:
or when the sound is A as in neighbour and weigh

Judy Parkinson, author of the best-selling book I Before E (Except After C), told the Daily Telegraph it was a phrase that struck a chord.

"There are words that it doesn't fit, but I think teachers could always get a discussion going about the 'i before e' rule and the peculiarities of the English language, and have fun with it. That's the best way to learn.".

"There are so few words where the ei spelling for the ee sounds follows the letter c that it is easier to learn the specific words." These include receive, ceiling, perceive and deceit.


Jack Bovill, chairman of the Spelling Society, said "it would be helpful if spelling were allowed to evolve."

Read the comments and hints of spellers of the past:

Rhythm Has Your Two Hips Moving
Christine, Belfast

'George Eliot's old grandmother rode a pig home yesterday' was how we were taught to remember the spelling of geography. It conjures up an amusing mental picture that children are unlikely to forget.
Eva Hayes, Canvey Island, England

I use "practISe" (is = verb) and "practICE" (ice = noun). In a slightly abstract way, this works for "license" (verb) and "licence" (noun) as well - i.e. You cross-reference the practise/practice trick to remember which one uses the S or the C!
Dan, Manchester

The one that did the rounds at my primary school, probably because it was a bit disgusting, was 'Do in a rush. Run home, or expect accident'. Diarrhoea.
Dan Meyers, Lancaster, UK

And there's "a rat" in "separate"
Beth, Virginia, USA

Old Elephants Usually manOEUvre poorly.
Danny, Aberdeenshire Scotland

'They shouted Hey'. That one was taught to me at age 5 or 6 when I kept writing 'thay'(which was how it sounded to me).
Mallory, Amersham, Bucks

I always had awful trouble spelling 'friend', until my teacher pointed out that 'friend ends in end'!
Andy Parsons, Sheffield, UK

StationERy is for things like papER.

StationARy is for something that isn't moving, like a pARked cAR.
Dawn, County Durham

NECESSARY = Never Eat Cress Eat Salad Sandwiches And Remain Youthful!
Samantha, Leuchars, Fife