TWO grade six learners from Graslaagte Primary School recently flexed their spelling muscles – winning first and second place.
Khanya Siheula (11) took first place, while Megan Potberg (12) came in second in the Grade six English First Additional Language category at the Sanlam WOW national spelling competition.
They received medals, cash prizes and books. Siheula furthermore received a ‘speller’ badge and a trophy.
This is the second year that the school, situated in Humansdorp, took part in the specific category. And again claiming victory – first and second place – for Grade 6.
After multiple competitions only seven learners from the Eastern Cape qualified to compete in the Sanlam Wow Spelling competition.
Graslaagte learners from grade one to Grade seven have been taking part in the competition’s Afrikaans Home Language category since 2014.
To prepare
To prepare for the spelling competition, learners were required to learn 400 grade six to grade nine level words a day.
Siheula, the top learner in his grade and head boy for 2020, said the grade six level words were easy to learn, but from grade seven level words became difficult.
Siheula, who apart from studying at school also enjoys studying in his free time, said he had to find a technique that worked for him to memorise difficult words. “When I study, I don’t think about each word separately, because I might forget some words. Instead I think about all the words at the same time. I also find it easy to remember words by picturing the letters in front of me.”
Siheula and Potberg went head to head for first place until Megan spelt ‘marvellous’ with one ‘l’ instead of two, which put her in second place.
Siheula however spelt all the words correctly and took the first-place title.
Potberg, fourth in her grade and deputy head girl for next year, said it was important to study hard throughout the year to prepare for the competition. “When I study, I see a picture in front of me, which helps me remember the word and the spelling.”
Potberg, who enjoys athletics and spending time with her friends, said her family was proud of her achievement and she hoped to part take in the spelling competition again next year.
Both learners felt that despite English being their second language, they find English schoolwork to be much easier because of their improved vocabulary.
Proud moment
Grade six English First Additional Language teacher, Roché Van Vuuren, said she was very proud of Siheula and Potberg and that they had exceeded her expectations.
Van Vuuren, who has been teaching at the school for 10 years, said the school has a good reputation in the Eastern Cape for their spelling capabilities. “When other schools see us, they always say that we are their most formidable competitors,” said Van Vuuren.
According to her, preparing for the competition had helped Siheula and Potberg with their schoolwork – they have a more developed vocabulary than their classmates.
“They are able to describe themselves quite well using the new words they have learnt, and their essays are always well written,” she said.
Their winning technique?
“To start practising as early as January and choosing learners that are interested in and dedicated to spelling,” said Van Vuuren.
“I chose the specific two learners because they had shown interest in spelling and they are hard working.”
