As you all know a spelling bee is a competition where contestants are asked to spell English words. The concept is thought to have originated in the United States, and is usually perceived to be a solely English language practice. However, there´s a non-English speaking country where spelling bees are held, that is, Spain. Our school is a good example, isn´t it?
Last year´s contest consisted of three rounds and a spell off. For the winners there were wonderful prizes.
The main aim of the Spelling Bee is to increase students’ vocabulary among the students (spelling, pronunciation and definitions)while we have a great time.
We all love our annual Spelling Bee Contest so, if you want to take the gold medal home you need to start practising for this year´s competition. In the "Times Spelling Bee Training Area" yuo can prick your ears and make the most of your listening skills.
START PRACTISING

You can also watch funny spelling bee contests on the Internet.
WATCH THIS.

Have you ever come across a silly sign? In the newspaper "The Times Online" a competion has been launched to find the silliest sings of the world. HERE you can view galleries of the best reader entries so far.
- GALLERY ONE
- GALLERY TWO.
- GALLERY THREE.
- GALLERY 2008.
Now, we want you to try and do better as we launch our own competition for the silliest signs spotted by students in our 2009-10 school year competition.
Include your name, course and a short description of the location and circumstances. Send your pictures of silly signs or strange sights to our "FLIKR" account.
The competition close at the end of December, when we will be asking students to vote for their favourite shots.
NB: please - no photoshopping!

Hi girls, boys! How was your summer? A new school year is just starting and I hope you are eager to learn and practise more and more English. Still wondering why learn English? Well, apart from the fact that English is compulsory, :P , LOL .... English is a
useful tool to communicate (almost) all over the world. We can surf the net, understand our favourite songs, TV series, video games, etc. Why don´t you find three personal reasons to study English? I´m sure you have lots of them.

Now that we are about to begin the academic year you may need certain English expressions to make the most of your oral expression skills in the foreign language. Do you remember expressions such as:

What’s the meaning of….?
How do you say …… in English?
How do you spell it?.
Sorry, I don’t understand. Can you repeat, please?
Stand up.
Raise your hand.
Open your books on page ….
Speak louder, please.
Look it up in a dictionary.
Can I go to to the toilet, please?
Raise the blinds, please.
Translate into English.
Do your homework on time.
Start reading, please.
Can I clear the blackboard?
Check your answers before handing in the exam.
Ask any doubts.
Be quiet!
Silence, please.
Pay attention and listen to the CD!
Write in pen.

Remember to use "please", "excuse me", "sorry", "thank you" and other polite phrases to brighten up your English.

Click here to check other expressions.
For a wide range of these phrases click here.

Hey there!
If you´re lucky enough you can always find interesting resources surfing the net. I´ve come across a very useful website where you can revise the contents of this year. This site includes contents for all the courses of E.S.O. students like you and even nice input for school kids (Primaria) and Special education pupils. It is called "Contenidos Educativos Digitales” and is hosted by the Junta de Extremadura. Click here to have access to the website.