Issue #124

English Tips for:

Business English Language Learners (B.E.L.L.)

National Spelling Bee

Each week, I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. You are welcome to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.

2025 marked the 100th anniversary of the renowned Scripps National Spelling Bee. Several movies and even Broadway musicals have told the stories of young hopefuls as they embark on the journey to become the National Spelling Bee champion. It is aired live on television, and the 100th anniversary just concluded on May 29, 2025.

Although there are different English-speaking countries, the American spelling seems to reign supreme as the chosen spelling for international spelling bees. This is primarily because the Scripps Foundation Spelling Bee in America is quite famous, and it does invite international spellers to join. This year, 243 competitors representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as the Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Guam, Kuwait, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated.

Vocabulary

Language Level - B2

We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.

A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.

1. Popularity (n)
2. Pose (v)
3. Position (v)
4. Positive (n)
5. Possess (v)
6. Potential (adj, n)
7. Power (v)
8. Praise (v, n)
9. Pregnant (adj)
10. Preparation (n)

Study this set of vocabulary words with this Quizlet.​

Grammar Tip

Language Level - B2

A relative clause gives more information about a noun. It begins with a relative pronoun like who, which, that, whose, or where.

• Defining Relative Clauses: Give essential information.
  ➤ The student who won the Spelling Bee is only ten years old.
• Non-defining Relative Clauses: Add extra information (use commas).
  ➤ The judge, who has been with the competition for years, announced the winner.

Relative Pronouns – Quick Guide

who – for people
​The girl who won the Spelling Bee was only ten.

which – for things
​The word which ended the round was very tricky.

that – for people or things (in essential information)
​The rule that confused the contestants was unclear.

where – for places
​The hall where the final took place was packed.

whose – to show possession
​The boy whose hand was shaking spelled every word correctly.

Let's Practice!

Use the correct relative pronoun: who, which, that, where, or whose.

1. The contestant _____ forgot the word "pharaoh" was eliminated.
2. The trophy, _____ was made of gold, sparkled under the lights.
3. She entered a competition _____ tests knowledge of English vocabulary.
4. The judge, _____ microphone stopped working, had to shout the word.
5. They studied in a classroom _____ every wall was covered in word lists.
6. The girl _____ father is a linguist was expected to win.
7. "Pronunciation," _____ many students find difficult, came up in the final round.
8. The spelling bee _____ takes place every year is open to all ages.

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Listening and Reading Tip

Language Level - B2

Here is a peek into what it is like at the National Spelling Bee. Note: These kids are amazing, and most native speakers could not spell these words!

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Weekly Challenge

Language Level - C1

There are 8 grammar, vocabulary, or punctuation mistakes in the paragraph below. Find the errors and correct the paragraph for practice:
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The annual spelling bee was held in the town hall, which was filled with hundreds of spectators. The contestants, most of whom were under the age of twelve competed fiercely for the trophy. Each participant was given only 30 seconds to spell their assigned word, no matter how difficult it was. The judge, who's known for his strictness, announced the words clearly, but one of the microphones didn’t work properly which caused a brief delay. Several parents, whom children were competing, appeared more nervous than the participants themselves. The final round was intense; the last two contestants had to spell a series of words that was taken from Latin origin. When the winner was finally crowned, she received a standing ovation and thanked the teacher who had helped her to prepare since months.

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How can I help?

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