The English spelling system delays learning to read by 2+ years for most native speakers.

I have a degree in linguistics, a post-graduate diploma in learning disabilities & 25 y. of experience teaching (in) English.

PROBLEMS

1. The English spelling system (ESS) has tens of thousands of errors, if we extrapolate on Masha Bell's research. (https://englishspellingproblems.wordpress.com/author/mashabell/) People express their frustration about the quality of spelling and reading, but no one would blame a driver for an accident if we knew that the car had faulty brakes. Right? The rate of dyslexia is much higher in English-speaking countries.

2. There is no research showing a link between spelling ability & IQ. The NIH showed this for dyslexics, learners who struggle to learn to spell or read. They are just as smart as the average person. In linguistics, it is well recognized that the more opaque the spelling system is (the more it has exceptions to rules) the more it impacts learning. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthographies_and_dyslexia). The system is a factor.

3. Research shows the average English-speakers' reading progress is delayed by 2 YEARS. (More, if one is part of a minority*.} Can all English-speakers be stupid? (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12803812/)

4. Orwell, Einstein, professors of universities indicate the system is flawed. (http://www.telelib.com/authors/O/OrwellGeorge/essay/tribune/AsIPlease19470314.html & https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4F8596884450BB8D)

5. The main problem is that the ESS is mixing diverse etymons (parts of words) from different languages and diverse sound-letters relationships. These are CONcerning CONcepts that cause confusion.

7. There are 203 ways of spelling 44 sounds. There should be only 44 ways. Complexity is bad when the system is highly inefficient.

8. "They" say language evolves, but the English spelling system has not for 250 years bc upgrades must be made nation-wide. When was the last time you upgraded your OS. See the problem.

9. Rates of illiteracy in most countries where English is spoken are much higher than in other countries. We can rehabilitate people easier if they have stronger literacy skills. Streets can be safer.

10. Billions globally must learn English as a second language. Most must rely on public schools which offer subpar teaching of English. Poor, but bright students cannot learn well. Private international schools are out of reach for most. If the system was easier to learn, it would be easier to teach even by unqualified teachers.

11. 50 Commonwealth countries would be more competitive if they had a workforce that had higher literacy skills which would allow people to retrain. A better economy means usually better services and a higher quality of life for everyone.


SOLUTIONS

1. Reform the system. This is a SPELLING SYSTEM'S REFORM proposal based on how the French fixed theirs (partly) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reforms_of_French_orthography)

(A) They corrected the system's misspellings,
(B) they taught just kids 1 dialectal accent & 1 logical spelling, &
(C) 12 years later allowed ALL OLD & NEW people to use the old OR the new spellings.* Current users can use the current system if they wish.

NOTE: Since a better system requires better matches between sound and spelling, the issue of differences of dialects or accents across the anglosphere would need to be addressed. It would require the creation of 1 unified dialect, which would ultimately ease communication at a global level. Since English has 44 phonemes or sounds, we could have a lottery system or we could make an international committee of linguistics experts to create one.

2. Use smart phones & the internet. A built-in app could automatically transcode any text that one reads.

3. Kids can speak 2 dialects as Italians have shown for decades with ease.

4. Once all current users are gone, standardize more.

5. Old books would remain in ALL libraries. New or older books could be presented digitally as a digital public library or in a school library as well..

6. Call your representative. Demand change & meaningful actions. They work for the people.

NOTE: Road signs, name of countries in Airports and other signs, and other hard signs or structures would not be replaced. Ditto for passport wording. In that context, the new cohorts would definitely need to be bicodal or have some familiarity in decoding in a passive way those words.