SPELL-IT-RIGHT CONCEPT PAPER

SMK TITINGAN SMK BALUNG SM KONVEN ST URSULA SMK PASIR PUTIH

HIGHLY IMMERSIVE PROGRAMME
SPELL IT RIGHT
COMPETITION
CONCEPT PAPER
2022

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Spell It Right is a competition that encourages pupils to develop their spelling skills
and vocabulary, as well as develop their poise for public speaking. In this competition,
pupils are pitted against one another to become the ‘best speller’.

2.0 OBJECTIVES
2.1 To improve and advance the skills associated with good spelling habits.
2.2 To enhance the pupils’ spelling capabilities and enrich their vocabulary.
2.3 To encourage reading habits among the pupils in preparation for the
spelling competition.
2.4 To expand pupils’ vocabulary and encourage accurate word usage and
pronunciation.

3.0 ELIGIBILITY
3.1 This competition is open to all secondary school pupils from government-
aided schools.
3.2 Each school sends two (2) participants respectively.

4.0 WORD LIST
4.1 The words used in the competition will start from B1 level. The organiser
will be responsible for the word list.
4.2 The word list will comprise of words that have simple words, and then
progress into more difficult ones.
4.3 All the words spelled by spellers during the competition must follow
British Standard of English.

5.0 OFFICIALS
5.1 Master Speller
The master speller is the person who reads the words to the spellers from the
specified words list that is to be used in the competition. He/she will pronounce all
the words clearly and provide the definitions and sample sentences upon request
from the contestants.

5.2 Judges (3 Judges)
The judges will judge the competition and have complete control over the
competition and no objection will be entertained. As the students spell the words,
it is the judges’ responsibility to check the correctness of the spelling. They can
correct errors as soon as they see them if they believe the rules have been
breached, or that Master Speller has made errors in his pronunciation or definition
of a word. The judges have the final say on whether the spelling is correct and will
deal with any dispute that may arise.

5.3 Timekeeper
There will be only one timekeeper. The time-keeper will monitor the time between
the pronunciation of the word by the Master Speller and the spelling of the word
by the speller.

6.0 COMPETITION RULES
6.1 Participants must wear school uniforms for the competition.
6.2 The competition will be held face to face.
6.3 Each participant will be given a number to represent their turn to spell during
the competition.
6.4 Each participant is given 30 seconds to spell out the word correctly.
6.5 A bell will be rung as soon as Master Speller says out the word. The second
bell will be rung at the 30th second.
6.6 Master Speller will say out the word and the participant must spell the word.
6.7 Each participant should say the word, spell it and then say the word again
to submit it. However, the judges will not disqualify any participant for failing
to pronounce the word either before or after spelling it.
6.8 If the participant does not catch the word the first time, he/she may ask the
Master Speller to repeat the word,
“Can you please repeat the word?”
or
“Please repeat.”
6.9 If the participant still does not know the word, he/she may ask the Master
the meaning of the word,

“Can I have the meaning of the word, please?”

or just
“Meaning, please.”

6.10 If the participant still does not know the word, he/she may ask the Master

Speller the word in a sentence,
“Can I have the word in a sentence, please?”

or
“Sentence, please.”

6.11 All the above questions and answers must be within the stipulated time, i.e.,

30 seconds.

6.12 If the participant spells the word wrongly, he/she can re-spell the word

6.13 correctly within 30 seconds as long as he/she does not submit the word.
If the spelling is correct, the Master Speller will announce, “That is
correct”. If it is incorrect, Master Speller will announce
“I am sorry, that is incorrect.”.

6.14 The first round will be the non-elimination round. The second and the

following rounds will be elimination rounds.

6.15 The elimination rounds will continue until there are three spellers.

6.16 Spellers will be eliminated during this stage when they misspell the word in

two consecutive rounds.

6.17 This stage will continue until there are two spellers.

6.18 The following rules apply when there are two remaining spellers. When one

speller misspells a word and the second speller spells the word correctly

but misspells the next word on the list, the misspelled word will be given to

the first speller If the first speller spells the word correctly and also spells

the next word on the list correctly, then he/she will become the champion.

7.0 INFRINGEMENT
A speller will be disqualified if;
7.1 he/she continues to spell the word after the time has elapsed/the bell is
heard;
7.2 he/she begins to spell the word but pauses and retraces the letters
differently from the first time he/she begins to spell;

7.3 he/she speaks loudly or causes disturbances while the spelling competition
is in progress.

8.0 PRIZES
8.1 Prizes are awarded as follows: -
● Champion
● Second Prize winner
● Third Prize winner
● Two Consolation Prize winners
8.2 Trophies and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winners.
Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants.

9.0 EXCEPTION
All matters not stated in the concept paper or any exclusion to the rules and all other
unexpected matters and issues on interpretation will be decided by the organising
committee of the competition.

………………………………………………………………………………………………
*This concept paper is valid as of 2022 until further notification or revision from the PPDT
and can be used at all levels for competitions organised by the PPDT. The competition will
abide to the above rules ONLY.
*All rights reserved by the PPDT Usage or adaptation by any entities outside of the ministry requires
prior permission