Both decoding and encoding skills are needed to build a foundation in reading. Decoding is the process of translating written speech into verbal speech sounds by applying knowledge of letter-sound correspondences. It is the ability to recognize letters, apply their associated sounds, and blend sounds to form words. Encoding is the process of using letter-sound knowledge to write or spell words. Students must understand the various spelling patterns and rules of the Spanish language to correctly construct words in their written products. It is important that students demonstrate their knowledge by applying these rules consistently instead of using invented spelling because they may unknowingly write a real word they did not intend, causing reader confusion.

Students should be able to spell the common contractions al and del. They should know that these contractions are made of a preposition and the article el. Since the first word of the pair ends in a vowel and the second one begins with a vowel, both words come together to make one single word: a + el = al; de + el = del. Students should know that instead of writing something like, El capitán de el barco les dio la bienvenida, they should write El capitán del barco les dio la bienvenida; or, instead of writing Normalmente comemos a el mediodía, they should write, Normalmente comemos al mediodía.