Interview with Dr. Katharina Leemann: how proven didactics and modern AI are transforming spelling education
09 October, 2025
This interview illustrates how established didactic principles can merge with modern AI to make spelling instruction more efficient, fair, and sustainable — for children, teachers, and schools alike.
About Dr. Katharina Leemann
Author of the renowned course Fundamentals of Spelling and co-developer of the AI-powered learning program Grafari, Dr. Katharina Leemann has worked for decades with children, adolescents, and adults facing significant spelling challenges.
Her course Fundamentals of Spelling — introduced 25 years ago — was a milestone in literacy education and is still widely used today. She has taught across German-speaking Switzerland and lectured at the Zurich University of Special Education. Although now retired, she continues to be active as an expert and author, contributing her expertise to the development of Grafari.
Didactics: Building bridges between fundamentals and AI
Dr. Leemann, your course has been successful for more than 25 years. What is the secret behind its longevity?
I’m often amazed and delighted by that myself. The method is unique in its hierarchical and logical structure. Knowledge is built step by step, and the vocabulary taught always matches the learner’s current level of understanding. Spelling rules are not taught in isolation but always linked to root morphemes — this makes the language system tangible. The program has been scientifically evaluated and proven effective. When a new German language curriculum was introduced, many thought Fundamentals of Spelling might lose relevance. But the opposite happened — its importance remains undiminished.
Why is spelling still such a challenge in German-speaking regions?
There’s still no clearly defined “time window” specifying what students must master at which age. This is precisely where Grafari steps in. It establishes a structured framework that ensures transparency, traceability, and consistency — forming a solid foundation for effective spelling instruction.
The teacher’s role: from instructor to learning guide
How does Grafari ease teachers’ daily workload?
The teacher’s role changes fundamentally. Instead of laboriously transmitting knowledge step by step, teachers can focus on ensuring deep understanding and consistent application. They become learning guides who foster language awareness and help students use spelling as a practical tool.
Where do you see the limits of AI — and how important is the human element?
AI can individualize and monitor learning, but it cannot replace human connection. Teachers remain essential to nurture motivation, convey language culture, and ensure transfer into authentic communication.
The learner’s perspective: Fairness and motivation
How do children benefit from the combination of Grafari and the writing lab?
It’s a true paradigm shift. Children are assessed only on what they’ve actually learned — ensuring fairness and boosting confidence. Errors then become genuine learning opportunities, not signs of failure. This fosters motivation and effort: when students know they’re only evaluated on skills they’ve mastered, spelling starts to make sense — and even becomes enjoyable.
Do children find AI-assisted learning motivating or intimidating?
Highly motivating. They build a solid foundation that allows them to use editing and correction tools meaningfully. AI isn’t seen as a competitor but as a helpful partner in learning.
The future: writing in an AI-driven world
In the coming years, writing instruction will continue to evolve alongside technological innovation — but its foundation must remain solidly human. Children need a strong base in language and handwriting before AI tools can effectively support their learning. Handwriting and manual writing will remain essential cultural skills, especially when technology fails. At the same time, AI opens remarkable opportunities: learners can acquire knowledge faster, more deeply, and more sustainably, all while remaining independent from digital systems. In education, we often speak of resilience and safety — investing in backups to ensure functionality in crises. The same principle applies to language. If AI fully replaces our linguistic abilities, we risk dependency and helplessness in moments when human communication is most needed. Safeguarding language skills beyond technology is therefore not just an academic concern, but an educational responsibility. AI should never replace foundational literacy or core cultural skills; rather, it should enhance and personalize their development. It can make learning more efficient, reveal progress transparently, and provide meaningful support for both teachers and students. Ultimately, the foundation of language learning remains sacred: language is, and will always be, a human cultural asset that shapes thought, builds connection, and sustains understanding in an increasingly digital world.
