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

IMPORTANT DATES Deadline for school registration January 15 th Deadline for student registration February 16 th MEXTESOL National Spelling Bee April 25 th

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

PREPARATION

RULES AND PROCEDURES 50 Participants in each category 1.Practice round 2.Rounds 3.Championship rounds 4.Spell-off

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 list of words A list of words to be spelled. dictionary A dictionary in case of dispute. pronouncer A pronouncer to read words, definitions, and sample sentences to spellers. judge A judge (at least one, and up to three) to check spellings against the word list. stopwatch A stopwatch and a designated person to keep time. bell or buzzer 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 change any spelling already spoken.

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 repeat the 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.