What does "orthographic memory" refer to?

Orthographic memory specifically refers to an individual's ability to remember and recognize letter patterns, as well as the correct spelling of words. This type of memory enables a person to visualize the written form of words and helps in mastering how words are constructed and spelled in a particular language.

Having strong orthographic memory aids in reading and writing fluency since it allows individuals to quickly recall and reproduce word forms without having to rely solely on phonetic decoding. Being able to accurately retain and retrieve these patterns can significantly improve one's ability to spell and recognize familiar words, which is essential for proficient literacy skills.

In the context of language education, particularly in multi-sensory structured language approaches, developing orthographic memory is crucial as it supports both reading comprehension and writing proficiency.