College of Human Sciences

Unisa hosts National Spelling BEE finale

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Tshegofatso Morapedi Letlotlo (Limpopo Province)

The College of Human Sciences together with the Department of Basic Education hosted the National Spelling BEE championship, where the top three provincial winners from each province competed against one another in the finale. The Championship, which targets learners in grade four to six (the intermediate phase), is aimed at improving learners' performance in languages, especially in English.

The Spelling Bee competition was initiated as part of Integrated National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy to develop a reading culture in the country through the Read to Lead campaign and to improve learners’ performance in languages. It lays emphases on the fact that reading is a foundational skill on which all other learning is built and a child, who reads, definitely will improve in language usage and of course spelling. 

Claudia Fratini, an English lecture in the College of Human Sciences believes that from an educational point of view especially when developing language skills, the Spelling Bee is a worthwhile initiative as learners engage in the importance of learning through exciting experiences like competitions.

The winners for the National Spelling Bee:

  • First place: Tshegofatso Morapedi Letlotlo (Limpopo Province)
  • First runner up: Krithika Gia Devnarain (KwaZulu-Natal Province)
  • Second runner up: Uraya Manicum (Gauteng Province)

The Winner Tshegofatso Morapedi Letlotlo elaborated on her Spelling Bee journey in the following interview:

Q: What motivated you to participate in the competition?

A: I wanted to experience different things and see what I am good at.

Q: How do you feel about the competition and why?

A: I feel like I was meant to do this and I love the rush that the competition gives me.

Q: What were your challenges during the competition?

A: Focusing on both my school work and the pressure of wanting to win.

Q: How did you overcome them?

A: I prioritised and drew up a schedule to help with both my schoolwork and preparing for the competition.

Uraya Manicum (Gauteng Province)

Krithika Gia Devnarain (KwaZulu-Natal Province)

*By Nomshado Lubisi (CHS communications & marketing)

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Publish date: 2017/10/20

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