Can you spell that?

Spelling is a fundamental skill for effective communication in any language. When learning English, knowing how to correctly spell our first and last name can make a big difference in everyday situations like introductions, phone calls, or paperwork. Mastering the English alphabet and its pronunciation allows us to communicate with greater confidence and accuracy.

Why is it important to learn to spell in English?
Knowing how to spell in English is a practical skill that you will use constantly. When communicating with English speakers, it’s common to need to spell out personal information such as your first name, last name, email address, or even your home address. Correct spelling avoids misunderstandings and confusion, especially when your name or surname has a pronunciation or spelling that is uncommon in English.

In addition, spelling helps you to:

Improve your pronunciation of the English alphabet

Increase your confidence when communicating

Make administrative processes easier

Avoid errors in important documents

How are first and last names spelled in English?
Let’s look at some practical examples of how different people spell their first and last names in English:

Example 1: John Carvajal
When John is asked how to spell his name, he answers:

“My name is spelled J-H-O-N.”

For his last name, he explains:

“My last name is Carvajal, and it’s spelled C-A-R-V-A-J-A-L.”

Example 2: Stephanie Salas
Stephanie spells her name as follows:

“My name is spelled E-S-T-E-F-A-N-Y.”

And for her last name:

“My last name is Salas, so it would be S-A-L-A-S.”

Example 3: Agustina Bussy
Agustina shares how her name is spelled:

“It’s spelled A-G-U-S-T-I-N-A.”

And for her last name, which may be a bit trickier:

“My last name is spelled B-U-S-S-Y.”

Practical tips to improve your spelling skills
Practicing spelling regularly is key to mastering this skill. Here are some tips that can help you:

Familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of the English alphabet. Each letter has a specific sound you should know.

Practice spelling out your personal information: name, surname, address, email.

Use audio resources to hear how the letters are pronounced correctly.

Create associations to remember the pronunciation of difficult letters.

Practice with a partner, switching roles between asking and spelling.

It’s important to remember that in real situations, you can use reference words to clarify letters that sound similar. For example:

B as in “boy”

D as in “dog”

P as in “Peter”

T as in “Tom”

Mastering spelling in English takes consistent practice, but it’s a skill that will stay with you for life and be useful in countless situations. Download the available audio resources and practice regularly to improve your fluency and confidence when spelling. What has your experience been like spelling your name in English? Share your anecdotes and tips in the comments section.