Why Learning Latin Roots Can Transform Your Reading and Spelling Skills
It’s common to hear the phrase, “Latin is a dead language.” But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth—especially when it comes to mastering English! Whether you’re a student struggling with reading or someone with dyslexia, understanding Latin roots can dramatically improve your reading and spelling abilities.
Latin Is Everywhere in English
Did you know that Latin forms the backbone of most English vocabulary? In fact, 80% of English words (and over 90% of words in science and technology) have Latin origins. According to Dictionary.com, Latin is deeply embedded in the structure of our language, making it an essential tool for becoming a proficient reader and speller.
For struggling readers, especially those with dyslexia, tackling words with more than two syllables can be a challenge. The good news? Many of these longer words have Latin roots, and learning to recognize them can unlock the spelling behind complex vocabulary.
Why Latin Roots Matter for Dyslexia and Struggling Readers
Words with Latin roots often appear in longer, multisyllabic forms. For students who have difficulty with these types of words, identifying the root can be the key to unlocking their spelling, improving their decoding abilities, and thus increasing reading comprehension.
Examples of Key Latin Roots:
- JECT – throw
object, objecting, objection, reject, rejection, project, projecting, projection, conjecture - FLECT – bend
reflect, inflect, deflect, reflection, flexible - FLICT – strike
conflict, afflict, inflict, affliction - SPECT – look
spectator, inspect, respect, spectacle, retrospective, introspection - CISE – cut
excise, incisor, precise, scissors, incision
By teaching students to recognize these roots, they can more easily decode unfamiliar words and improve their spelling of these complex words. Once you learn to recognize and spell the latin root, the rest of the spelling and decoding is simplified. For instance, understanding that spectator and introspection share the root spect (meaning to see) helps students recognize their common spellings even when they encounter them in different forms.
Bridging the Gap Between Similar Words
Students with reading challenges often confuse words that look or sound similar but have different meanings. Latin roots provide a powerful way to differentiate these words. For example:
- addition vs. addiction – Just one letter, but the Latin roots give them distinct meanings and spellings.
- infection vs. inflection – Again, the roots clarify their differences in decoding and spelling.
Learning to identify the root in these cases can help prevent confusion and ensure that students understand the words they are reading.
A Proven Strategy for Upper-Grade Readers
When students face complex passages in higher grades, being able to dissect a word into its Latin root is an invaluable tool. This strategy helps them comprehend more advanced material, even when the words themselves seem unfamiliar at first glance.
Latin Roots: More Than Just Words
Latin roots don’t just help with reading—they also play a key role in structured literacy programs like Orton-Gillingham, which is widely used for dyslexia. Programs that focus on these roots have been shown to improve both reading accuracy and fluency.
And here’s the great news: you don’t even have to take a formal Latin class to start learning! You can practice Latin roots on platforms like Duolingo, showing that Latin is not a “dead language” at all—it’s a living, breathing tool for learning English!
By teaching Latin roots, we empower students to not only read and spell more effectively but also to feel more confident in tackling the challenges of the English language. Ready to give your child or student the skills to succeed? Contact us for a free consultation! No pressure meeting (via Zoom or in-person) on how we can help your child!