At the English-Speaking Union Chile, we like to talk about our students’ participation in our events throughout their lives as the ‘ESU Journey’, where each of our competitions can be viewed as a stepping stone towards proficiency in the English language; from learning how to spell to constructing and responding to complex arguments in heated debate.

More than anything, as Education is Life and not a mere practice round, our events are an opportunity for our students to discover their voice and, through trial, error, and some fair dollops of heartbreak or joy, learn something valuable about themselves. To stand alone, speak up, and risk being wrong: that is the real value of our Spelling Bee competition. As spelling is the first step towards mastering a language, daring to make a mistake is the first step towards mastering life.

To make this journey meaningful, students need a space where they feel safe enough to take risks. That is precisely what ESU Chile proudly strives to offer: a warm, encouraging environment where making mistakes is not only accepted but expected. Here, our bumbling bees are as blessed as our triumphant ones, because it is in the stumbling, the hesitating, and the starting over that real growth happens. Let’s all make way for a Life learned out loud!

We’d like to thank all the people that made it possible for our Spelling Bee to succeed this year. 

Colegio Pumahue Chicureo: Andrea Correa, Antonia Pérez, Nicole Quiñones, John Cisternas, Angelo Concha,  and so many others we hope we aren’t forgetting about. Thank you once again for stepping up and getting out the best in everybody!

Colegio Pumahue Peñalolén: Marcos Barros, Paz Aldea, Natalia Morales, Carolina Pareja, Camila Cornejo, all their workers and students, who were willing and able to host us at the drop of a hat at their beautiful campus. First time hosting was passed with flying colours!

Colegio San Nicolas Diácono: Fernando Maffioletti, Magdalena Aguirre, Alicia González, Claire Kamerling, Jandry Gonzalez, Josefina Essmann, Javiera Vega and anybody else we might be criminally forgetting. Thank you for hosting us again and making everybody feel nice and cozy!

A special thank you to Alejandra Rodriguez and Tatiana Bustos, who as part of the COGNITA Group management team have supported ESU Chile and this competition with their hard work, expertise and all-round good vibes!

Thank you tremendously to Andrea Valdivieso, from Lincoln International Academy, who once again officiated as MC, on the first and last days; and Florencia Barahona, from Colegio Pumahue Peñalolén, who did so on the second.

A special thanks goes to all our judges, who sometimes had to make incredibly difficult decisions and tell students on stage that they had to sit down because of minute details. Big applause to: 1st Day: Illia Picchione (Craighouse School); Catalina Bustamante (American British School), Constanza Jiménez (American British School). 2nd Day: Karina Contreras (American British School), Diego Altamirano (American British School), Anais Berrios (American British School). 3rd Day: Gloria Faundes (ESU), Claire Kamerling (San Nicolás Diácono) and Rodrigo Martínez (CPV International School Providencia).