MEXTESOL National Spelling Bee 2015

Together with Merriam Webster

OBJECTIVE

The MEXTESOL National Spelling Bee promotes spelling and vocabulary

study for English as a Foreign Language learners in primary and secondary

Mexican schools.

SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS

SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS

SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline for school registrationJanuary 15th

• Deadline for student registrationFebruary 16th

• MEXTESOL National Spelling BeeApril 25th

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

PREPARATION

PREPARATION

RULES AND PROCEDURES

50 Participants in each category

1. Practice round2. Rounds3. Championship rounds4. Spell-off

RULES AND PROCEDURES

RULES AND PROCEDURES

The participant may ask the pronouncer to provide the following information for the word: 1. Alternate pronunciation, if any 2. The first dictionary definition,

including part of speech

3. An example sentence. This information will be part of the word lists provided by Merriam-Webster.

RULES AND PROCEDURES

• The main criteria for the judges will be whether or not the participant has correctly spelled the word within the 2-minute time limit.

• The judges will eliminate a participant who starts spelling a word, then starts over and changes the original spelling given.

• However, the participant may retrace his or her spelling by starting over without changing the original spelling given.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

HOW TO RUN A SPELLING BEE

SPELLING BEE CHECKLIST

• A list of words to be spelled.• A dictionary in case of dispute. • A pronouncer to read words, definitions, and

sample sentences to spellers.• A judge (at least one, and up to three)

to check spellings against the word list.• A stopwatch and a designated person to keep

time.• A bell or buzzer to indicate a misspelling.

SPELLERS MAY USE VISUAL TECHNIQUES…

…such as writing gestures on their hand, arm, or name card.

SPELLERS MAY START OVER…

…but cannot changeany spelling alreadyspoken.

PRONOUNCER’S ROLE

• Speak clearly

• Be consistent

• Remain calm

• Repeat a word if asked

• If a word is misspelled say “The correct spelling is…”

JUDGES’ ROLE• Time with a stopwatch, starting when

pronouncer first speaks the word.

• Ensure the pronouncer pronounces the word correctly.

• Encourage spellers to repeatthe word correctly.

• Listen for exact letters given by the speller.

• Ring the bell when a word is misspelled.

FINAL ROUNDS

• If all spellers but one misspell in a single round, what follows is a single round of ONE speller:

• If the word is correctly spelled, the winner is declared.

• If the word is misspelled, another round is conducted including ALL spellers from the previous round in their original order.

Good Luck!

asesoracademico@mextesol.org.mxwww.mextesol.org.mx