Discussion on Teaching Handwriting to Children

ANNOUNCER: Part 3. You will hear two education students discussing an assignment on teaching handwriting to children. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24.

MAN: How are you getting on with the assignment on handwriting?

WOMAN: Not too bad. You know, I hadn't realized that children benefit in so many ways from learning to write. It's such an important skill, and yet most people think handwriting is less important than in the past because people hardly ever write by hand these days.

MAN: Yes. And all the evidence suggests children should learn to write by hand before they learn to type, not least because it helps their memory.

WOMAN: That's right. The physical act of writing helps children remember letters. That seems pretty obvious when you think about it.

MAN: What's less obvious is how it helps develop their concentration. They have to sit still and focus on one thing.

WOMAN: Yes, that aspect of handwriting had never occurred to me before.

MAN: I'm not sure I understand how it improves children's imagination though.

WOMAN: There was a study which showed that primary age children generated more ideas when writing by hand than when using a keyboard.

MAN: I've never associated spatial awareness with handwriting either.

WOMAN: Good spatial awareness is essential for writing because you have to space words correctly.

MAN: Handwriting is much harder for children with dyspraxia, who have problems coordinating movement.

MAN: They need more support with letter formation, and games can help them distinguish letter shapes.

WOMAN: I like the idea of using a pen that lights up if you press too hard.

MAN: I'm not sure there's much you can do about them writing slowly. It's more important to focus on accuracy.

WOMAN: One simple method is using grid paper so children write each letter in a box.

MAN: Yes, that helps them space letters correctly and improves legibility.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.

MAN: For some children it may be better to teach them to write on a laptop, especially children with dyslexia.

WOMAN: Yes, it's less frustrating for them if they make mistakes on a keyboard.

MAN: But research suggests developing fluency is not any faster.

WOMAN: Did you read the article comparing print handwriting and cursive handwriting?

MAN: Yes. Cursive used to be considered more stylish and educated.

WOMAN: But teachers now know that cursive writing is more difficult to learn, especially for children with learning difficulties.

MAN: Poor handwriting can affect exam results if examiners cannot read the script.

WOMAN: Yes, that's why it is important to teach children to write legibly.

MAN: Do you think handwriting will change in the future?

MAN: Touch typing isn't taught in many schools, but people might eventually write on digital devices.

WOMAN: People are already writing by hand less and relying more on technology.

WOMAN: My spelling and punctuation have become worse because I don't practice writing by hand much.

MAN: I hardly ever write anything by hand now.

MAN: My grandparents had beautiful handwriting that was very individual.

WOMAN: I used to write a diary by hand, but now I do it digitally because it takes less effort.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 3. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part three.