What is Conventional Spelling

Writing is an increasingly important component of classroom instruction and an essential tool for learning, including language learning, yet little is known about the English writing development of emergent bilingual students with and without disabilities. Research in this area has previously focused on spelling and the role of cross-linguistic transfer. While knowledge in these areas is useful to the field, research that examines higher level writing skills and identifies evidence-based practices is still needed. This chapter uses an additive approach to examine the role of cross-linguistic transfer in the writing development of emergent bilingual students with and without disabilities to provide teachers with needed guidance.