“I” before “E” except after “C” or when sounding like “A” in neighbor or weigh

This little ditty is taught to children in the US.  It helps them to remember how to spell certain words.  (Just remember the one rule of English that ALWAYS applies:  there are exceptions to the rule).

1. When the letters come after a “C”, then spell the word “ei” like in receive, conceive, conceit
2. When the letters make the “A” sound, then spell the word “ei” like in neighbor, weigh, vein