I dont want to advocate further, but this was in today papers. In this age of browser spell checkers and more, Its definitely a topic to give a thought to.

Feel free to pour your thoughts.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10621368

Young texters gr8 spellers
4:00 AM Thursday Jan 21, 2010

A study published by the British Academy says teachers and parents should embrace texting as a means of improving their children's phonological awareness.

For instance, a child who texts gr8 to a friend often actually knows how to spell the longer form of the word. Researchers also noted an increasing awareness among texters of which words rhymed with each other.

The research, among a sample group of eight to 12-year-olds, found the most regular texters were unlikely to be among the problem spellers or readers in the class.

However, Dr Clare Wood, a reader in development psychology at Coventry University, said: "We began studying in this area initially to see if there was any evidence of association between text abbreviation use and literacy skills at all after such a negative portrayal of the activity in the media.

"We were surprised to learn that not only was the association strong but that textism use was actually driving the development of phonological awareness and reading skill in children.

"Texting also appears to be a valuable form of contact with written English for many children, which enables them to practise reading and spelling on a daily basis."

The research failed to detect any sign that frequent texting had any effect on spelling ability in writing standard English.

It found that frequent texters were more likely to have higher scores in verbal reasoning tests.

"Those who used the most phonologically-based textisms were the best at spelling," it added.