• Read with greater fluency and understanding, because they recognise how words are built.
• Write clearly and confidently, so that their ideas are understood and taken seriously.
• Grow their vocabulary, as learning to spell a word means learning its meaning, origin and use.
• Rely less on spell-checkers, which can be slow and unreliable, especially when several spellings look plausible.
• Succeed across the curriculum, since every subject depends on reading and writing.

A skilled speller is a stronger reader and writer, and strong readers are better prepared to learn throughout their lives.

• promote reading for meaning and pleasure;
• improve spelling, vocabulary and language proficiency;
• give learners a structured and fair platform to participate, compete and shine;
• identify and nurture talented learners;
• bring schools, districts, provinces and partners together around one coordinated literacy programme;
• build a lasting culture of reading in homes, schools and communities; and
• support South Africa's participation in continental and international competitions.

• attend a public school or a provincially funded independent school (all schools, including special schools, may take part);
• be in Grade 4, 5 or 6 in the year of the competition;
• not have been disqualified at any earlier level of the competition.

• Read together every day. Reading aloud, or listening to your child read, builds the vocabulary that spelling depends on.
• Use the official word lists. Practise a few words at a time rather than all at once.
• Make it fun. Try word games, spelling quizzes, word hunts around the house, or taking turns to be the Pronouncer.
• Talk about words. Ask what a word means, where it might come from and how it can be used in a sentence.
• Celebrate effort. Praise your child for trying, improving and being brave enough to stand up and spell, whatever the result.
• Stay in touch with the school. Teachers will share dates, venues and guidance as the competition progresses.

• Does my child have to win to benefit? No. Practising spelling, reading and speaking in public helps every learner who takes part.
• Can my child practise in their home language? Reading and talking about words in any language builds literacy. Please check this website and your child's school for the languages and word lists used in the competition.
• Where can I find updates?The latest information, word lists, registration details and results will be published on the DBE website and official DBE social media channels.