C Curriculum Explorer
English·Spelling & Word Study·procedural

Spellings from Greek, French and Latin

Spell words with etymological letter patterns from Greek (ch = /k/), French (ch = /ʃ/, -gue, -que), and Latin (sc = /s/) origins

Suggested ages 8–10

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Learning journey

Your child is learning to spell words that come from other languages, understanding how Greek, French, and Latin origins affect the way English words are written.

Evidence of understanding

  • Spell words with Greek ch such as 'scheme', 'chorus', 'chemist', 'echo' and explain the /k/ sound pattern
  • Spell words with French ch such as 'chef', 'chalet', 'machine' and -gue/-que endings like 'league', 'unique'
  • Spell words with Latin sc such as 'science', 'scene', 'discipline' and identify the silent letter pattern

Assessment prompt

Does Spellings from Greek, French and Latin know that some words have letter patterns from other languages — like "ch" making a "k" sound in "school" or "chorus" — and can they spell those words correctly?

Standards alignment

Eng.UKS2.Write.Trans.Spell.4GB · uk-nc-2013

Use morphology and etymology

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2