At which developmental stage do young spellers encounter the irregularities in English spelling?

Young spellers typically encounter irregularities in English spelling during the Skill Development stage. This is a critical phase in their literacy journey where they are expanding their understanding of spelling rules and patterns. As children progress through this stage, they start to recognize that many words do not conform to typical phonetic rules, leading them to grapple with the complexities of English spelling.

At this point, learners are not just relying on sound-letter correspondences but also beginning to understand more nuanced aspects of word formation, including silent letters, varied vowel sounds, and exceptions to common spelling rules. This exposure helps them refine their spelling abilities and develop a more sophisticated understanding of the language.

In contrast, the other stages mentioned are characterized by different emphases: Derivational Constancy focuses on how base words change when affixes are added, Word Extension pertains to how students apply known words to new contexts, and the Phonetic stage emphasizes sound-letter relationships before additional complexities are recognized. Therefore, Skill Development is the stage where learners actively confront and navigate the irregularities inherent in English spelling.