Thank you to Bruce Howlett, host of the podcast For the Love of Literacy, for inviting Sue Hegland and I onto his show as guests to talk about our logical and interconnected system of English spelling, emphasizing how understanding this system can enhance literacy and confidence for all learners.
In this episode, on October 18, 2025, Sue Scibetta Hegland, author of Beneath the Surface of Words, chats with Liisa Freure—founder of Fundamental Learning and an elementary, ESL, and special education teacher—about the fascinating, complex, yet logical system behind English spelling. Both passionate advocates for Structured Literacy, Sue and Liisa talk about why teaching spelling can be even more challenging than teaching reading, and how understanding the spelling system can strengthen literacy for all students. Using engaging examples, they show how exploring the structures and interconnected meanings of words can capture students’ interest, improve comprehension, and help them become confident readers and writers.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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