Spelling as a topic of study began largely due to the influence of Noah Webster’s “Blue-backed Speller.” It revolutionized education when received in 1786 by a largely illiterate nation.

Webster sparked a generation’s interest in spelling and teachers soon began to use competitions to motivate students to improve their spelling. Spelling contests have been recorded as far back as 1808, though they weren’t formalized until the first United States National Spelling Bee took place in 1925.

After sixteen years of annual contests, the Scripps Howard News Service began to sponsor the event and to this day continues its support of the bee. It is now known as the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The popularity of the Scripps National Spelling Bee has spread across the globe with local communities holding spelling bees in various countries. Even non-English speaking countries in Asia, Africa, India, and the Middle East are using the format to help their kids to learn English.

Spelling bees aren’t named after the insect, but rather the term refers to a gathering of people who come together for a common purpose, often helping one another to achieve the goal. Originating from the Middle English word “bene,” people have gathered over the centuries to participate in sewing bees, cleaning bees, and now even spelling bees. The competitors gain the experience necessary to develop a healthy sense of sportsmanship and friendly rivalry. Moreover, they learn how to both win and lose with grace. Students are encouraged to interact with each other and connect over a mutual interest in language.

Studying for a spelling bee doesn’t just entail rote memorization of words, but involves a lot more learning than most people imagine. They can apply these traits to any field later in life. Spellers equip themselves with the tools to reach a higher writing level and the ability to manipulate language. Students who target their spelling study not only increase their vocabulary but also develop cognitive abilities and learning strategies. Their knowledge generally helps them to become great readers as well. It helps them enjoy a wide range of literature and reading material often beyond their years.

While training for a spelling bee, students learn about word roots and origins. They delve deeper into understanding the meaning and grammatical function of words. A champion speller can spell a word they’ve never seen before! They also gain confidence by performing in public. Spelling bees provide students, who have an interest in language to enjoy the same opportunity to compete, perform, and experience those valuable life lessons on their terms. Athletics and sports are commonly viewed as healthy outlets for the competitive spirit, as well as a way to gain confidence in oneself.

Now, you can take part in the Online Spelling Bee Competition! It’s a challenging place where you can compete against players from all around the world in real-time. Websites like Spell Quiz provide a motivating change to the traditional dictionary study and offer you the ability to track your progress accurately.