Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common parent questions.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes. Spelling.Live works as a web app on any device. For handwriting mode, you'll want a tablet with a stylus - phones are too small for comfortable handwritten practice. Typing and voice modes work well on a phone.
Yes. Spelling.Live works as a web app on any device. For handwriting mode, you'll want a tablet with a stylus - phones are too small for comfortable handwritten practice. Typing and voice modes work well on a phone.
How does the photo import work?
Tap "Add list" then "Take a photo". Point your camera at the word sheet from school. The app extracts the words and creates a list ready to practise. You can edit any words it missed before starting your session.
Tap "Add list" then "Take a photo". Point your camera at the word sheet from school. The app extracts the words and creates a list ready to practise. You can edit any words it missed before starting your session.
Do I need an account to try it?
We removed guest mode because the features that make us different - personalised AI tips, handwriting analysis, and progress tracking - only work with a history of your child's practice. A one-off guest session couldn't show any of that. Signing up is free and takes two minutes with no credit card required. Find out exactly why we removed guest mode →
We removed guest mode because the features that make us different - personalised AI tips, handwriting analysis, and progress tracking - only work with a history of your child's practice. A one-off guest session couldn't show any of that. Signing up is free and takes two minutes with no credit card required. Find out exactly why we removed guest mode →
Which stylus should I buy for handwriting mode?
For iPad: Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd gen depending on your model). For Samsung tablets: the S Pen that comes with your device. For other Android tablets: most active styluses with a fine tip work well. Avoid passive rubber-tip styluses - they reduce accuracy.
For iPad: Apple Pencil (1st or 2nd gen depending on your model). For Samsung tablets: the S Pen that comes with your device. For other Android tablets: most active styluses with a fine tip work well. Avoid passive rubber-tip styluses - they reduce accuracy.
How is this different from just testing at home on paper?
The app tracks which words are correct and which are not, automatically brings back difficult words in the next session, and lets your child practise independently without a parent reading words out. Useful when time is short or when a child benefits from self-directed practice.
The app tracks which words are correct and which are not, automatically brings back difficult words in the next session, and lets your child practise independently without a parent reading words out. Useful when time is short or when a child benefits from self-directed practice.
Can I upload more than one list?
Yes. You can have multiple lists active at the same time - for example, this week's school list alongside a general 11+ word list. You can practise each list separately or merge them into one session.
Yes. You can have multiple lists active at the same time - for example, this week's school list alongside a general 11+ word list. You can practise each list separately or merge them into one session.
What does the AI actually do?
In handwriting mode, the AI reads what your child has written on screen and decides whether the spelling is correct. It is designed to interpret natural child handwriting, not just neat print. In photo import mode, the AI reads the word list from your photo and extracts the words.
In handwriting mode, the AI reads what your child has written on screen and decides whether the spelling is correct. It is designed to interpret natural child handwriting, not just neat print. In photo import mode, the AI reads the word list from your photo and extracts the words.
Is this aligned to the UK curriculum?
Yes. The app's built-in word lists are drawn from KS1, KS2, and 11+ preparation resources used in UK schools. The Fluent level covers the Year 3–6 statutory word lists and common 11+ vocabulary.
Yes. The app's built-in word lists are drawn from KS1, KS2, and 11+ preparation resources used in UK schools. The Fluent level covers the Year 3–6 statutory word lists and common 11+ vocabulary.
My child has additional needs - is this suitable?
Spelling.Live was built partly to support children with additional needs alongside highly capable children. Multiple input modes (typing, voice, handwriting, multiple choice) mean children can work in the way that suits them best. The multiple choice mode is particularly low-pressure for children who find recall difficult.
Spelling.Live was built partly to support children with additional needs alongside highly capable children. Multiple input modes (typing, voice, handwriting, multiple choice) mean children can work in the way that suits them best. The multiple choice mode is particularly low-pressure for children who find recall difficult.
Does Spelling.Live support dyslexia and learners with SEND?
Yes. Per child, you can switch the whole app to the OpenDyslexic or Lexend font, add a colour overlay (cream, blue, rose, mint or grey), widen letter and line spacing, and slow the speech rate. The handwriting reports flag letter reversals (like b/d) and other formation issues so you can see exactly what to work on. Low-pressure mode hides timers, streaks and leaderboards in the games for children who find them stressful, and the gentler-handwriting SEN setting softens corrections and adds a letter-trace overlay for guided practice.
Yes. Per child, you can switch the whole app to the OpenDyslexic or Lexend font, add a colour overlay (cream, blue, rose, mint or grey), widen letter and line spacing, and slow the speech rate. The handwriting reports flag letter reversals (like b/d) and other formation issues so you can see exactly what to work on. Low-pressure mode hides timers, streaks and leaderboards in the games for children who find them stressful, and the gentler-handwriting SEN setting softens corrections and adds a letter-trace overlay for guided practice.
Can my child's teacher or tutor use Spelling.Live with them?
Yes. Teachers and tutors have their own Classes area: create a class, add pupils in bulk with printable login labels, assign spelling lists with due dates, and see class progress with each pupil's tricky words. It works the same for a school class or a small tuition group, and teacher accounts can request a raised allowance of 500 AI credits a month. When a teacher adds a pupil they can invite the parent by email too - the parent claims the learner login and follows everything from home. How Teachers & Classes works →
Yes. Teachers and tutors have their own Classes area: create a class, add pupils in bulk with printable login labels, assign spelling lists with due dates, and see class progress with each pupil's tricky words. It works the same for a school class or a small tuition group, and teacher accounts can request a raised allowance of 500 AI credits a month. When a teacher adds a pupil they can invite the parent by email too - the parent claims the learner login and follows everything from home. How Teachers & Classes works →
Can private tutors and tuition centres use Spelling.Live?
Yes - the Classes area was built for tutors as much as schools. Create a group for your students, assign spelling lists with due dates and a note ("test on Friday"), and track progress across the whole group in one view, with each student's tricky words. It also bridges tutor and home: a list you assign appears on the student's own home screen to practise between sessions, and the same practice feeds both your class report and the parent's progress report. Tutor accounts can request a raised allowance of 500 AI credits a month. Spelling.Live for tutors →
Yes - the Classes area was built for tutors as much as schools. Create a group for your students, assign spelling lists with due dates and a note ("test on Friday"), and track progress across the whole group in one view, with each student's tricky words. It also bridges tutor and home: a list you assign appears on the student's own home screen to practise between sessions, and the same practice feeds both your class report and the parent's progress report. Tutor accounts can request a raised allowance of 500 AI credits a month. Spelling.Live for tutors →
Can more than one adult support the same child?
Yes - that's how the app is designed. A parent can invite another adult - a co-parent, grandparent or tutor - to share access as a guardian; a teacher can assign lists through their class; and at home you can photo-import the school sheet or run your own practice. Whoever sets the words, every session feeds the same practice history, the same difficult-words schedule and the same progress report, so the picture of what's sticking stays joined up.
Yes - that's how the app is designed. A parent can invite another adult - a co-parent, grandparent or tutor - to share access as a guardian; a teacher can assign lists through their class; and at home you can photo-import the school sheet or run your own practice. Whoever sets the words, every session feeds the same practice history, the same difficult-words schedule and the same progress report, so the picture of what's sticking stays joined up.
Can I share my child's progress report with their teacher or a tutor?
Yes. In the Progress reports section of your account settings, add them as an extra recipient - a class teacher, tutor, SENCO or co-parent. Each child's report is its own email, so a recipient can get every child's report or just one child's (useful when a teacher only teaches one of your children), and each person can unsubscribe themselves without affecting anyone else. How progress reports work →
Yes. In the Progress reports section of your account settings, add them as an extra recipient - a class teacher, tutor, SENCO or co-parent. Each child's report is its own email, so a recipient can get every child's report or just one child's (useful when a teacher only teaches one of your children), and each person can unsubscribe themselves without affecting anyone else. How progress reports work →
What are credits and what uses them?
Credits cover the AI-powered extras: the spelling coach tips, handwriting analysis, voice spelling, and visual hints. These features run on powerful AI services that have a real cost per use. Basic spelling practice - loading a list, typing answers, checking results - is completely free and unlimited. You get 100 credits per month, which resets automatically. Many results are cached, so the same hint or audio served to another family doesn't count against your allowance. Read more about how credits work →
Credits cover the AI-powered extras: the spelling coach tips, handwriting analysis, voice spelling, and visual hints. These features run on powerful AI services that have a real cost per use. Basic spelling practice - loading a list, typing answers, checking results - is completely free and unlimited. You get 100 credits per month, which resets automatically. Many results are cached, so the same hint or audio served to another family doesn't count against your allowance. Read more about how credits work →
What happens if I run out of credits?
Just ask and we'll top you up. There's no awkward process - drop a message via the support page and we'll add more credits to your account. The app is currently free and we want you to use it properly, not feel cut off mid-session.
Just ask and we'll top you up. There's no awkward process - drop a message via the support page and we'll add more credits to your account. The app is currently free and we want you to use it properly, not feel cut off mid-session.
How do I record a paper spelling test?
Tap the
button on your child's card and photograph the marked sheet. The app reads every word and the ticks and
crosses, records the score, adds any new words to practise, and can score the handwriting too. Correct words
come pre-ticked, so you usually just glance down the list and save.
How Paper practice works →
Tap the
button on your child's card and photograph the marked sheet. The app reads every word and the ticks and
crosses, records the score, adds any new words to practise, and can score the handwriting too. Correct words
come pre-ticked, so you usually just glance down the list and save.
How Paper practice works →
What's the difference between Paper practice and a Dictation test?
Both work from a photo. Paper practice imports a test someone else set and marked - you photograph an already-marked school sheet. The Dictation test is the app setting and marking its own test: it reads the words aloud, your child writes them on numbered paper, and a photo is marked against the words it read out.
Both work from a photo. Paper practice imports a test someone else set and marked - you photograph an already-marked school sheet. The Dictation test is the app setting and marking its own test: it reads the words aloud, your child writes them on numbered paper, and a photo is marked against the words it read out.
Can Spelling.Live mark spelling sheets from school or tuition?
Yes - and it doesn't matter whether the sheet came from school, a tutor, or your own kitchen table. Photograph a marked test - ticks, crosses and all - and Paper practice reads every word, records the score, adds the misspelled words to your child's practice list, and can score the handwriting's letter formation too. Got a blank word sheet instead? Photo-import it and the app builds a practice list from the words, ready to use on screen or in a Dictation test. How Paper practice works →
Yes - and it doesn't matter whether the sheet came from school, a tutor, or your own kitchen table. Photograph a marked test - ticks, crosses and all - and Paper practice reads every word, records the score, adds the misspelled words to your child's practice list, and can score the handwriting's letter formation too. Got a blank word sheet instead? Photo-import it and the app builds a practice list from the words, ready to use on screen or in a Dictation test. How Paper practice works →
How does the app spot spelling patterns?
Whenever a word is misspelled - in practice, in Paper practice, or in a Dictation test - the app works out why it went wrong and sorts it into one of the 18 KS1 & KS2 spelling patterns. You'll see these in the in-app Patterns view and in your weekly progress-report email, so you can target the rule rather than re-drilling single words. How spelling patterns work →
Whenever a word is misspelled - in practice, in Paper practice, or in a Dictation test - the app works out why it went wrong and sorts it into one of the 18 KS1 & KS2 spelling patterns. You'll see these in the in-app Patterns view and in your weekly progress-report email, so you can target the rule rather than re-drilling single words. How spelling patterns work →
My child finds writing difficult - how should we use the app?
Start gentle and build up. Begin with the low-pressure modes - Pick it (multiple choice) and, on the handwriting pad, the letter-trace overlay with the gentler-handwriting setting - to build familiarity and confidence. As each stage sticks, raise the challenge: type it, then say it aloud, then free handwriting, and eventually the Dictation test. You choose which modes each child sees in their practice settings, so you can meet them where they are.
Start gentle and build up. Begin with the low-pressure modes - Pick it (multiple choice) and, on the handwriting pad, the letter-trace overlay with the gentler-handwriting setting - to build familiarity and confidence. As each stage sticks, raise the challenge: type it, then say it aloud, then free handwriting, and eventually the Dictation test. You choose which modes each child sees in their practice settings, so you can meet them where they are.
How is my child's data handled?
Carefully - it's a children's app first. You can export everything we hold, or delete the account and all of its data, yourself from your account settings. Every AI feature a child sees runs with a child-safety guardrail, the AI services we use are listed publicly on our AI transparency page, and data we no longer need is purged automatically on the schedule in our privacy policy. How we keep children's data safe →
Carefully - it's a children's app first. You can export everything we hold, or delete the account and all of its data, yourself from your account settings. Every AI feature a child sees runs with a child-safety guardrail, the AI services we use are listed publicly on our AI transparency page, and data we no longer need is purged automatically on the schedule in our privacy policy. How we keep children's data safe →