by Yasmin Hussain–Project manager for Routes-North West THE Foreign Languages Spelling Bee took place in the North West consortium at Manchester Metropolitan University in the week beginning 23 March 2015. The competition is open to Year 7 students, and this year more than 12,000 from the North West took part – the largest entry ever for this national competition. The competition is split into three parts, for pupils studying French, German and Spanish, and consists of two rounds, followed by a prize giving. Dr Sharon Handley, Dean of Humanities, Languages and Social Science and the Director of Routes-North West, said: “We were delighted to host the regional final at MMU and we are proud of the fact that the response from North West schools has been the highest in the country. The performance of the pupils in previous years has been outstanding and this year was no exception.” Yasmin Hussain Routes Project Manager for the North West said: “This year we have achieved a new record in the North West, each year the competition attracts more pupils from the region. It is a fantastic competition. Every pupil is a winner just by taking part in it and developing their vocabulary in French, German and Spanish.” “The ethos behind the spelling bee is to encourage young people to learn new languages. It encourages schools to take part through different stages; from class competition to whole schools to the regional. It fosters the love of languages from a very young age. A lot of effort by teachers, parents and pupils has gone into this so anyone who gets to this stage is a winner. What a fantastic achievement!” The 12 regional finalists will now go on to compete at the national championship in July.
The 12 regional finalists will now go on to compete at the national championship in July. They are:
French
First – Charlie Middleton, St Gabriel’s RC High School
Second – Anna Crayston, Tarporley High School
Third – Eleanor Huyton, St Augustine’s RC High School
Fourth – Amir Chauhan, Bolton School
Spanish
First – Smrutee Kandale, Sale Grammar School
Second – Eloise Lonsdale, Westholme School
Third – Jessica Hepburn, Litherland High School
Fourth – Huzaifa Umar, St James Church of England High School
German
First – Shraddha Ashok, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Second – Tiffany Dyu, Wirral Grammar School for Girls
Third – Cora Heyes, St Peters Catholic High School
Fourth – Charli Smith, Parklands High School.
