Culmination (Oral Round)
Contestants who qualify the National Level Written test will enter the Culmination
In this stage contestants compete in two phases
| 2 Phases | |
|---|---|
| 1 | MOP UP ROUND |
| 2 | CULMINATION |
MOP UP Round
- In this phase the top 50 qualifiers from the written go through three rounds in two steps
| S.NO | Round |
|---|---|
| 1 | READING |
| 2 | PICTURE IDENTIFICATION & SPELLING (CATEGORY 1 & 2) PHONETIC IDENTIFICATION & SPELLING (CATEGORY 3, 4, 5 & 6) |
| 3 | ORAL SPELLINGS |
FIRST STEP
READING ROUND (for all the categories)
In this round 10 words would be shown to the contestant, the words have to be pronounced correctly. With each correct pronunciation the contestant score ‘1’ mark this round carries 10 marks.
PICTURE IDENTIFICATION & SPELLING (CATEGORY 1 & 2)
In this round 10 pictures would be shown to the contestant, the contestant has to identify the picture correctly. The right identification would give them 1 mark and the correct spelling another mark, the total marks allotted for this round are 20.
PHONETIC ROUND (CATEGORY 3, 4, 5 & 6)
Phonetic transcription of ten words would be given to the contestants, they have to identify and spell the word. The right identification would give them 1 mark and the correct spelling another mark, the total marks allotted for this round are 20.
Based on the marks scored in the initial two rounds, 20 contestants will be eliminated and 30 contestants would be selected for the next round
SECOND STEP
Oral spellings
In this stage a set of 5 words would be given to the contestant, for which they have to give correct spellings at least for 3 words .In this round the number of contestants would be brought down to 15 based on elimination.
Remaining top 15 students would enter the culmination (final round) and they would be invited on to the dais for the most interesting as well as challenging round
Culmination
Culmination
The selected top 15 contestants will randomly choose numbered cards. This card will be worn about the neck and will determine the order in which students compete in each category. They will also be used for contestant’s identification by the judging panel.
There may not be any practice rounds in the competition.
In the first round a set of three words would be given and the contestants need to spell at least 2 correctly. All the contestants who give two correct spellings would remain on dais. From the next round every contestant would be given only one word, if the contestant spell that word correctly, he/she will remain on the dais for next round, If the contestant misspell that word, he/she immediately drops out of the competition.
The next word is given to the next contestant. As the competition runs the remaining Top 1 speller will be announced as winner, 2nd and 3rd as runner up-1 and runner up-2 of the VOLKS Spelling Bee competition for the year for a particular category. And the others are announced as rankers according to their place.
Only the judges, pronouncers and specified volunteers are allowed on the dais.
No spectators or video/photographers other than VOLKS Spelling bee representatives are permitted on the dais.
Spectators are only permitted to observe the Spelling Bee competition from their seated positions.
- If a word has two or more accepted spellings, any of the spellings listed will be accepted as correct.
- Some words on the list may not appear directly in the dictionary (plurals, possessives, etc.). Accepted rules for these words will apply.
- Words shall be pronounced according to the dialectical markings in the dictionary, from which the Pronouncer shall select the definition or definitions that he gives.
- The Pronouncer may give a fuller explanation of the meaning of the word to supplement the dictionary definition or definitions quoted.
- The Pronouncer may also give the part of speech, if requested by the contestants
Spelling Procedure
- The Pronouncer will pronounce the word and gives the definition.
- The participant will then pronounces the word, spell the word, and pronounce the word again.
- The participant may ask for the definition, and part of speech for the given word.
- The Head Judge will have the responsibility for stopping the student if he/she fails to pronounce the word or if the student pronounces the word incorrectly.
- pronouncing the word before and after is not mandatory but encouraged.
The Contestant must
- Pronounce the word before spelling. This is to ensure that the student has heard the correct word.
- Look at the Pronouncer when spelling the word.
- Spell the word orally. Participants will not be allowed to write the word before spelling it.
- Pronounce the word again after the word is spelled.
- Speak clearly and loudly. The official’s decision is final in determining the correctness of the spelling, which may be misunderstood if not spoken clearly.
- The participant may ask for any pronunciation, meaning, or sentence to be repeated for clarification before spelling. If a participant takes undue advantage of this rule, he/she will be advised to do so by the Pronouncer/Head Judge.
Preparation
Material will be supplied in free of cost to the registered students at every level; questions will be based on the provided material for that particular level
Judges
There will be 3 judges in the Spelling Bee. Details are as under:
- Head Judge : Facilitate the Spelling Bee and announces the final decision
- Laptop Judge : Note downs whatever spelled by the participant on laptop
- Pronouncer : Pronounces the word as per the spelling bee standards all three judges share responsibility for making decisions.
Timing
* The participant shall have 60 seconds from the time he/she pronounces the word until he/she must begin spelling the word. If the participant does not begin spelling at the end of the 60- Second period, he/she shall be reminded by the Pronouncer, who will be informed by the Head Judge (Timekeeper).
* A participant will be disqualified if he/she does not follow the above listed timing rules.
Disagreements
In any circumstances, no one from audience should approach the judge’s panel. It is the responsibility of the participant to pose any question relating to the spelling of the word by requesting permission to approach the judges only when it is their turn in the competition.
This should not happen when other participant is already given word to spell. All the judges have the access to the word list, the official dictionary, the rules of VOLKS Spelling Bee and Spelling Bee record sheet.
If the challenge cannot be resolved from one of the above resources, the Head Judge will call for a brief time-out to confer with the other judges.
The judge's decision shall be final and no appeal or confrontation or argument is entertained.
General Procedures
* No talking will be allowed either among the participants or among the audience. This will distract participants and judges.
* No assistance from audience is given to any participant. If a participant receives assistance from anyone in the audience, he/she will be disqualified. We expect highest dignity and respect from all participants and audience to encourage all the kids to win the competition.
* We request the audience to remain seated all the time when Spelling Bee in progress. We will have breaks between the competition and it is expected that participants and audience use those breaks. This will help participants to have better focus and improve their winning chances.
Rules
- All students are requested to arrive at the venue of competition in complete uniform and ID card of their respective school.
- participants should bring the admit card with photograph & principal attestation to the venue and produce it on demand.
- Parents should bring the participants to the venue at their own cost.
- Participants should be at the venue half an hour before the commencement of the competition.
- Participants should be present at venue only at the time allotted for a particular category.
- Late comers will not be allowed to participate in the competition.