This document discusses the benefits and organization of spelling bee competitions for English language learners. It begins with an introduction of the author and their background in teaching English. The objectives are then outlined as specifying the importance of spelling bees, presenting teacher and student perspectives, and providing tips for organization. Benefits discussed for students include increased vocabulary, thinking on their feet, and confidence. For teachers, it is a dynamic activity that provides student motivation. The document concludes by sharing experiences from past spelling bees in Venezuela and the dream of organizing a national competition.

1. Where’s your Super Firestarting Power?
A Spelling Bee Case
Venezuela Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (VenTESOL)
Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Superior de Oriente (IUTSO)
VenTESOL Region 3
Prof. José Zapata
VenTESOL Anzoátegui State Rep.
IUTSO Professor
U.E. “José Leonardo Chirino”
L.N. “Camino Nuevo”

2. A Little More About Me
• Originally from Maturín, Monagas State.
• VenTESOL Anzoátegui State Representative since July 2013.
• Teaching since 2007.
• Love breaking traditional ways of ELT.
• Working with teenagers
and adults.

3. Objectives
• To specify the benefits or importance of Spelling Bee
competitions in TESOL as a lightstarter of learning.
• To present the perspectives and experiences of teachers
and students about Spelling Bee competitions.
• To give tips on how to organize Spelling Bee
competitions.
• To share the experiences of Spelling Bee competitions
held in Monagas and Anzoátegui.

4. Talk to a Partner
How important is spelling compared
with pronunciation, vocabulary,
syntax, etc? Why?

5. Let’s Think!
• "A good teacher is like a candle: it consumes
itself to light the way for others." –Anonymous

6. Top 10 Teacher Super Powers
by Annie Condron
• X-Ray Vision.
• Super Educational Gadgets.
• Elasti-Teacher.
• Bladders of Steel.
• The Firestarter.
• Power of Super Patience.
• Webs of Knowledge.
• The Hammer of Teacher.
• Super Distraction Deflectors.
• The Powerful Protector.

7. The Firestarter: Marva Collins
• "Once children learn how to learn, nothing is going to narrow
their mind. The essence of teaching is to make learning
contagious, to have one idea spark another".
• “Good teachers are always looking for answers to problems;
poor teachers make excuses for why children aren't learning.”

8. Spelling Bee: A Way To Firestart your
Students’ Learning – “Why?”
• Benefits of Team Bees
Knowledge of English
Communication/Teaching/Learning
Cooperation
Consensus Building
• Benefits of Solo Bees
Knowledge of English
Thinking on their feet
Public speaking
Handling pressure

9. Spelling Bee: A Way To Firestart your
Students’ Learning – “Why?”
• Benefits of Bees for Teachers
Dynamic activity
Change of pace from lecture and drills
Easy to repeat with little preparation
Easy to modify
Makes learning more memorable
Competition provides motivation

10. From My Own Experience
• Benefits of Bees for Students
- A good way to let students know each other better.
- A good way to meet students from different groups or
institutions.
“The Spelling Bee competition
against the National High School
‘Camino Nuevo’ made me meet
people of my age, socialize and share
knowledge.” Ana Hernández-High
School “José Leonardo Chirino”,
Barcelona.

11. Students’ Perspectives
• “I think Spelling Bee competitions are a good way to learn
English and help me increase my vocabulary. Besides,
competitions make me and my classmates work as a team and
make me learn from my classmates. Finally, Spelling Bees
help to give me confidence and motivation.” Ana Hernández-
High School “José Leonardo Chirino”, Barcelona.

12. Students’ Perspectives
• “It was a funny and educational experience with which I could
increase my knowledge about this amazing language;
moreover, it still motivates me to keep learning about this
language. In my personal experience, it is something I would
love to repeat.” Nelsy Guzmán-High School “José Leonardo
Chirino”, Barcelona.

13. From My Own Experience
Teachers’ Benefits
• Teachers can get to know their students’ strategies of
learning vocabulary.
• Teachers can get a friendlier vision from their
students.
• Teachers can expand their creativity.
Questions:
1- You as a teacher, how motivated do you feel when working
with Spelling Bee competitions with your students? Why?
2- Do you feel a change in your students when using spelling bee
competitions? What do they tell you or express you?
3- The teacher as a super hero, what would your super power be
when working on activities like Spelling Bee competitions?

14. Teachers’ Perspectives
Prof. Luis Hurtado
L.N. “Camino Nuevo”,
Barcelona.
Prof. Mónica León
VenTESOL Nueva Esparta
State Representative

15. Spelling Bee: A Way To Firestart your
Students’ Learning – “How?”
Theoretical Basis
Ramsey Musallam’s 3 rules to spark learning
1. Curiosity comes first.
2. Embrace the mess (Trial and Error).
3. Practice Reflection .

16. Spelling Bee: A Way To Firestart your
Students’ Learning – “How?”
• Get to know your students.
• Ask them about Spelling Bees.
• Prepare them for a Spelling Bee.
• Start with a classroom Spelling Bee.
• Encourage other colleagues in the institution.
• Listen to your colleagues and students’ ideas
and opinions.
• Make it a big party (Entertaining).

17. Spelling Bee: A Way To Firestart your
Students’ Learning – “How?”
• Look for support, i.e., students, colleagues from the
same or other institutions, publishing houses,
companies, US Embassy, the British Council,
VenTESOL.
• Practice reflection: Why?
- Why is it important to participate at a Spelling Bee?
- Values

18. Spelling Bee in Monagas and
Anzoátegui
• Monagas:
- 1st Spelling Bee “LN Luis Padrino”, 2012.
- 2nd Spelling Bee “LN Luis Padrino”, 2013
- 1st Spelling Bee “Monagas State”, 2013. (6 high schools).
- 2nd Spelling Bee “Monagas State”, 2014. (8 high schools).
• Anzoátegui:
- 1st Spelling Bee “U.E. José Leonardo Chirino”, 2014.
- 1st Spelling Bee “L.N. Camino Nuevo”, 2014,.
- 1st Spelling Bee “Anzoátegui State”, 2014. (2 high schools).

19. Where did the inspiration come from?
• 1st Spelling Bee “ESP”, UPEL Maturín, 2009. Organized by
Professor Reina Ruiz (UPEL-IPM).

20. The Product
1st Spelling Bee “LN Luis Padrino”, 2012.

21. The Product
2nd Spelling Bee “LN Luis Padrino”, 2013

22. The Product
1st Spelling Bee “Monagas State”, 2013. (6 high schools)

23. The Product
2nd Spelling Bee “Monagas State”, 2014. (8 high schools)

24. The Product
1st Spelling Bee “Anzoátegui State”, 2014. (2 high schools)

25. Limitations and Receptivity
Limitations
• Lack of economical resources.
• No support from the governmental institutions,
such as Zonas Educativas (ZE).
Receptivity
• The students who did not “win” asked: “What’s
the date of the next competition?”
• Some teachers are now organizing Spelling Bee
competitions at their high schools.

26. The Dream: National Spelling Bee
- Organized by VenTESOL and The US Embassy.
- Target: Venezuelan public and private high schools.
- Every VenTESOL State Representative will organize their State
Spelling Bee.

27. The Dream: National Spelling Bee

28. Ten Characteristics of a Good Teacher
By Patricia Miller
1. I want a teacher who has a contagious enthusiasm for
his teaching.
2. I want a teacher who is creative.
3. I want a teacher who can add pace and humor to the
class.
4. I want a teacher who challenges me.
5. I want a teacher who is encouraging and patient, and
who will not give up on me.

29. Ten Characteristics of a Good Teacher
By Patricia Miller
6. I want a teacher who will take an interest in me as a
person.
7. I want a teacher who knows grammar well and who
can explain something on the spot if necessary.
8. I want a teacher who will take a minute or two to
answer a question after class.
9. I want a teacher who will treat me as a person on a
equal basis with all the members of the class.
10. I want a teacher who will leave his emotional
baggage outside the classroom.

30. Conclusions
• Enhancing English language learning.
• Competitive spirit.
• A contagious learning process.
• A more dynamic way of teaching and learning.
• Confidence.
• Cognitive skills.
• A friendlier connection between students and
teachers.

31. Quotes to Ponder
"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of
a fire." -William Butler Yeats.
“Spelling bees? Spelling bees do not scare me. I
competed in the National Spelling Bee twice, thank
you very much. My dad competed in the National
Spelling Bee. My aunt competed in the National
Spelling Bee. My uncle WON the National Spelling
Bee. If I can't spell it, I know someone who can. SO
JUST BRING IT ON, YOU BASTARDS!!” ―
Kristin Cashore.

32. Another Experiences!

33. References
• Condron, Annie. Top 10 teacher super powers.
Available at: http://www.teachhub.com/top-10-teacher-
super-powers
• Miller, Patricia. Ten characteristics of a good teacher.
Forum, page 36, number 1, volume 50 (2012).
• Musallam, Ramsey. 3 rules to spark learning. Available
at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsYHqfk0X2A
• Spelling Bee Morocco. Benefits of Bees. Available at:
http://www.spellingbeemorocco.org/benefits-of-
bees.html

34. Thanks for your attention!
http://ventesol.ning.com
www.ventesol.org
Facebook: VenTESOL/VenTESOL Anzoátegui
Twitter: @ventesol
Email: venezuelatesol@gmail.com
My email: jazh24@gmail.com
LIVE VENTESOL’S SPIRIT!