My child can read Arabic but can’t write words when I say them. How do I help?

Question

Bloomtivo Academy · Accepted Answer

Reading and spelling are different skills. Build spelling with “say, sound, write, check”: say the word, break it into sounds, write one letter per sound, then check against the model. Start with three-letter words with clear vowels (كَتَبَ، جَلَسَ), five words a day, and praise each correct letter, not just whole words. Many children read Arabic well but freeze when asked to write a word they hear. That is normal: spelling needs the child to turn sounds back into letters.The four-step methodSay: you say the word clearly, e.g. قَلَم.Sound: your child breaks it into sounds: qa – la – m.Write: one letter for each sound: ق ل م.Check: compare with the written word and fix any letter.Start with easy wordsLevelExample words1: three letters, short vowelsكَتَبَ، جَلَسَ، فَتَحَ2: with sukoonقَلْب، كَلْب، بَحْر3: with long vowelsبَاب، نُور، فِيل4: with ta marbuta or al-مَدْرَسَة، الْبَيْتCommon spelling trapsLetters that sound alike for UK children: ت/ط, س/ص, د/ض, ه/ح.Long vowels left out: writing بب for بَاب.Joining errors with non-joining letters.Daily practice (10 minutes)Five words from this week’s lesson. Mark each correct letter with a tick, so your child sees progress even when a word is not perfect.Teacher’s tip: let your child dictate a word to you sometimes, and make a deliberate mistake for them to catch. Spotting mistakes builds spelling skills fast.Related: Writing vs reading Arabic.

Level	Example words
1: three letters, short vowels	كَتَبَ، جَلَسَ، فَتَحَ
2: with sukoon	قَلْب، كَلْب، بَحْر
3: with long vowels	بَاب، نُور، فِيل
4: with ta marbuta or al-	مَدْرَسَة، الْبَيْت

My child can read Arabic but can’t write words when I say them. How do I help?

The four-step method

Start with easy words

Common spelling traps

Daily practice (10 minutes)

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