News

On October 3, 2019, the English Club and the Advising and Guidance Unit collaborated to host the much-anticipated Fall 2019 Spelling Bee Competition. The event attracted nearly two dozen eager participants from various academic levels, all keen to test their spelling prowess under the watchful eye of Academic Guidance Counselor, Dr. Dawood Mahdi. The event boasted cash prizes courtesy of Jarir Bookstore, with gift certificates totaling 500 Saudi Riyals being awarded to the top three contestants.

This year's Spelling Bee boasted a fresh format, increasing the level of challenge for competitors. The first level of competition tasked participants with reordering word scrambles into coherent sentences, thereby ensuring that students not only understand the spelling of words but their definitions and appropriate usage as well. The second stage saw the complexity of words given increase proportionally with each subsequent round. The final authority and sole source for selecting the words for the spelling bee was the esteemed Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

The competition unfolded with exhilarating intensity, extending over ninety minutes. Four grueling rounds culminated in the emergence of Abdulrahim Ali and Hamad Ghanam as the deserving first and second-place winners. The event took an unexpected twist as a fierce contest for third place ensued, resulting in a 'sudden death' lightning round between Faisal Al-Dosary, Abdulrahim Al-Qahtani, Abdullah Ali, and Othman Shamsi. As the remaining contestants skillfully spelled word after word, the excitement in the room was palpable. Ultimately, Abdulrahim Al-Qahtani emerged victorious, claiming the third-place prize.

The Spelling Bee serves as a crucial platform for students at the Faculty of Languages and Translation, allowing them to push their limits and exhibit their skills. English Club Director and Spelling Bee Judge Faisal Alfadhil commended the competitors, stating, "This year's competition really brought the best out of the competitors."

The importance of proficiency in the English language across various career fields is undeniable. It is noteworthy that all the top three Spelling Bee winners are avid readers of English language books and articles, substantiating the crucial role reading plays in language proficiency enhancement. Furthermore, Hamad Ghanam and Abdulrahim Al-Qahtani are regular attendees of the clt's Language Enhancement Program (LEP), which offers students the opportunity to improve their English language skills through informal practice.

The Faculty of Languages and Translation is committed to endorsing events and programs that benefit students and foster increased participation in the English Club. Driven by Dean Abdullah Al-Melhi's vision, the clt continuously strives to provide necessary language tools to all students, while simultaneously expanding extracurricular activities and competitive events that promote learning and enhance engagement.

The clt offers its heartiest congratulations to all participants in the Fall 2019 Spelling Bee Competition, with special accolades reserved for the winners.