How Do You Teach Morse Code?

Teach Morse code by sound first, a few letters at a time, and turn the practice into games. Learners who hear and say the rhythms remember them far better than learners handed a chart to memorize.

Start with sound

Play a letter and have everyone say it back: A is di-dah, N is dah-dit. Koch's 1936 research recommended this approach and warned against teaching from a chart of dots and dashes. A speaker playing the audio translator lets the whole group hear the same tone and speed.

A few letters at a time

Start with two or three letters that sound very different, like E (.), T (-) and M (--). Then add A, N, I, S and O. With those, learners can spell ME, TEA, NOTE and SOS in their first sessions, which keeps them motivated. Keep sessions to 10 to 15 minutes for kids.

Games that work

Echo: you send a letter, and the group taps or hums it back.
Mystery word: play a short word and see who decodes it first.
Flashlight messages: pairs signal each other across a dark room or field.
Name badges: everyone writes their name in Morse for others to decode.
Desk taps: partners send messages with a pencil, as in how to tap Morse code.

For scout troops

When it launched in 2015, the Scouts BSA Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge asked scouts to describe Morse code, spell their first name in it, and send or receive a six to 10 word message. The games above cover all three. Between meetings, point scouts to the practice trainer so they can keep going on their own.