Sahasra Deepika Spelling Bee Begins Third Year

In 2009-2010, Sahasra Deepika launched its innovative English Outreach Program and Spelling Bee for low-income 9th standard students who attend government schools. These children start compulsory English classes in the 5th or 6th standard, and have little resources to help them improve their skills. Basic English proficiency is essential to securing a better paying job. The Sahasra Deepika Spelling Bee takes the traditional competition a step further, by tutoring and assessing children on the spelling, definition and correct use of the words in a sentence. At the end of the program, which lasts several months, a spelling bee is held at each school. The words chosen for the bee are written in English and phonetically in Kannada, so that the students develop better pronunciation. The finalists are given the opportunity to compete in the Sahasra Deepika Spelling Bee Contest.

This program has grown steadily each year. In 2009-2010, 1000 students from the Bangalore area participated. In January 2010, Hemalatha, a 9th standard student from Honnaganna Hatti High School, became our first spelling bee champion. In 2010-2011, 1500 students participated and Shilpa V. led Honnaganna Hatti to 1st place again. In this our third year, the SDIE Spelling Bee Contest has expanded to Udupi District in Karnataka, over 250 miles from Bangalore! 2000 students are participating from 25 high schools in Bangalore and Udupi.

In order to continue the growth of this wonderful program, we need your help! Committed volunteers are needed to go to the participating schools and help the students prepare. If you have experience with teaching English as a second language, please help us visit the schools to prepare the students. Sponsors are needed to provide funding for prizes and trophies, and to underwrite the costs of the final competition in January 2012. With your support, this program will grown and inspire many more children. Please join us in our efforts! Contact us today.

See our media page for more photos of this program