Basic Rules

• Spelling bees are oral competitions in which contestants must spell a specific word during a set time limit.
  • Spellers will have 2 minutes to spell a word.
  • This includes the time that the pronouncer uses to answer questions about the word.
• A pronouncer calls out the word, can be asked to provide the definition of the word, the origin, the part of speech, and use it in a sentence.
• Judges decide if a speller has spelled the word correctly.
  • If a speller has spelled the word correctly, s/he goes on to the next round. If not, the speller must wait until the round is over.
  • If no one can correctly spell the word during that round, all spellers may continue to the next round. If someone does correctly spell the word, those who misspelled the word are eliminated.
• When all other spellers have been eliminated, the remaining contestant must spell one final word correctly in order to be declared the winner.

Pronouncer & Judges

• The judges in all competitions not only uphold the competition rules and determine if the speller has spelled the word correctly, they also assist the pronouncer in the event of a misunderstanding between the pronouncer and the speller.
• Another role for the judges is to ensure the pronouncer does not make any errors in the pronunciation and definition of the word to be spelled.
• The pronouncer has to pronounce words according to diacritical markings in the dictionary.
• In the case of homonyms the pronouncer must also make clear which word is to be spelled.
• If the speller requires confirmation of a word the pronouncer will respond to speller requests to repeat the word, use it in a sentence, provide the language of origin and for alternate pronunciation in accordance with the dictionary definition.
• Finally, the pronouncer can offer information on the word without a spellers request if he believes it is helpful and the information appears on the spelling bee word list or in the dictionary.

The Speller

• During a spelling bee the speller must try to utter each word distinctly and with a volume level appropriate for the judges to hear the word.
• The speller must also face the judges allowing them to see lip movement in order to decide if the word has been spelled correctly.
• The speller must attempt to pronounce the word before and after spelling it.
• The speller can also request information about the word to be spelled from the pronouncer including to repeat the word, ask for a definition, language of origin and any alternate pronunciation.

To see it in action:
://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDk1NTAzMTA4.html

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 winners.

Dates and Place

Two rounds will be held in the auditorium after midterms (November 16-28).

Judges:

Teachers may sign up to be judges by giving an application form to the IAA teachers.

Spellers:

Students may sign up to be spellers by telling their English teachers.