Rules & Regulations
Official competition guidelines for the Canada National Super Spelling Bee
Important Notice
These official rules apply to all Canada Super Spelling Bee competitions. All participants, parents, and educators must review and agree to these guidelines before competing. Compliance is mandatory for participation.
Competition Format
How the spelling bee is conducted
Basic Format
Competition Format
The Canada Super Spelling Bee follows the traditional American spelling bee format as oral spelling competitions only. No pens, pencils, or paper are allowed. Eliminations occur on a "miss-and-out" basis.
Word Sources & Standards
All words are selected from the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online Dictionary. Only spellings listed in this dictionary will be accepted as correct. Variant spellings, including British spellings (e.g., "colour" for "color"), are accepted.
English Alphabet Only
Spellers are judged only on the 26 letters of the English alphabet. No elimination will occur for failing to note capitalization, hyphens, spaces, or other punctuation.
Spelling Procedures
Step-by-step process for each spelling attempt
Speller's Process
- 1Listen carefully to the word pronunciation
- 2Ask for information if needed: definition, part of speech, language origin, sentence usage, alternate pronunciations, or repetition
- 3Pronounce the word before spelling (encouraged but not required)
- 4Spell the word clearly and audibly, pronouncing each letter distinctly
- 5Pronounce the word again after spelling (encouraged but not required)
- 6Wait for judge's decision
Judge's Responsibilities
- •Pronounce words clearly and correctly
- •Provide definitions and word information when requested
- •Make fair and consistent spelling judgments
- •Maintain order and fairness throughout the competition
- •Announce correct spellings when necessary
Time Limits & Conduct
Important timing and behavioral guidelines
⏰ Time Limits
Semifinals Time Limit
Spellers have up to 2 minutes from receiving their word. Notification at 1 minute remaining, then at 30 seconds (no further questions after 30-second warning).
Spelling Continuity
Once spelling begins, spellers are not required to continue without long pauses. Spellers are allowed to ask to restart and ask more questions if needed and as time permits.
Retracing Rules
Spellers may start over but cannot change letters or their sequence from the original attempt. Notify judges before restarting.
🤝 Code of Conduct
Word Information & Questions
What spellers can ask and how information is provided
❓ Permitted Questions
- • Pronounce the word (again)
- • Definition of the word
- • Part of speech
- • Use the word in a sentence
- • Language origin/etymology/derivation
- • Alternate pronunciations
- • Repetition of any of these questions
Note: The pronouncer may offer helpful information without being asked, and will answer all questions until the word is reasonably clear or time runs out (30 seconds).
🌱 Root Word Questions
If permitted by the bee (announced beforehand), spellers may ask root word questions containing all three pieces:
- 1. The root word
- 2. The meaning of the root word
- 3. The root word's original language
Important: Without all three pieces of information, the pronouncer will decline the question.
Appeals Process
How to handle disputes and appeals during competition
Official Protest & Appeal Procedures
Who can protest: Any question relating to the spelling of a word should be referred to the judges ideally within that round by the speller or their designated representative.
Timing requirements: The official deadline for filing a protest is before the affected speller would have received their next word. No protest will be entertained after that word has been given to another speller.
Championship rounds: When only two or three spellers remain, a protest must be made immediately.
Final authority: The judges are in complete control of the bee. Their decision shall be final on all questions and disputes.
Championship & Elimination Rules
Special procedures for final rounds and determining winners
🏆 Championship Rounds
Championship Word Rule: If only one speller at the end of a round has spelled correctly, they receive one more word. If spelled correctly, they are crowned champion.
Miss in Championship: If the potential champion misspells their championship word, all spellers from the previous round are reinstated.
All Miss Rule: If all spellers in a round misspell their words, all are reinstated and spelling proceeds in original order.
📊 Ranking & Elimination
Immediate Elimination: Upon missing the spelling of a word, the speller is eliminated immediately, except during championship scenarios.
Tie Rankings: All spellers eliminated in the same round shall tie for the same place in final rankings.
Homonym Handling: If a word has homonyms, the pronouncer will clarify which word to spell by providing information, or any correct homonym spelling will be accepted.
Virtual Competition Guidelines
Additional rules for online spelling bee competitions
💻 Technical Requirements
- • Speller ID format: [Number] [First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., "12 John Doe")
- • Individual microphones must be muted unless it's your turn
- • Speller's entire face must be visible during competition
- • Stay within one arm's length from the camera
- • No virtual backgrounds allowed
- • Spellers under 8 may have one adult for technical help only
📹 Virtual Etiquette
- • Look directly at the camera during your turn
- • Keep hands visible at all times while spelling
- • One warning given for looking away from camera
- • Chat board discussion is prohibited during the bee
- • No other persons allowed in room with speller (except under-8 tech help)
- • Notify staff for restroom breaks or concerns
Additional Guidelines
Important details for a successful competition experience
Safety, Accessibility & Conduct
- • Medical accommodations available as needed
- • Special seating arrangements for accessibility
- • Emergency procedures clearly communicated
- • Dress code: Business casual attire recommended
- • Behavior: Disruptive spellers may be eliminated regardless of spelling performance
- • Audience assistance: Prohibited - may result in speller disqualification
Media & Legal Requirements
- • Media consent required: All spellers and family members must accept media and photo consent to participate
- • Competition may be officially recorded for educational purposes
- • Professional photographers will be present
- • All rights reserved, Canada Super Spelling Bee, Inc.