Students in Kurdistan’s Duhok try to win English spelling bee

DUHOK, Kurdistan Region - A total of 80 students, from second grade to tenth grade, took part in a spelling bee competition, being held for the second consecutive year in Duhok.

The participants were divided into three age-based levels.

"Thanks to my parents, I was able to memorize 300 words,” Malak Ahmed, a student in Duhok, told Rudaw on Monday.

The participating students came from schools in the Kurdistan Region, with some hailing from foreign countries. Rose Abdulla, born in Malaysia, is one of those students.

“I joined Spelling Bee Kurdistan 2024. I am from Malaysia and I came from Malaysia to Kurdistan. And Kurdistan is very beautiful and I love it here,” said Abdulla. 

Another foreign student, Johanna Natson from India, expressed her excitement.

"I am very happy to be participating in the speaking competition, and I always wanted to attend a [spelling] competition, so I am happy that I'm attending today,” she said.

The competition will be held separately in all three provinces. Winners from each province will advance to the next stage which is competing at the level of the Kurdistan Region.

"The main purpose of this competition is to improve students' scientific level. Students memorize these words at home, which are about 1,000 words, for months. Of course, this will improve their scientific level," said Nassir Abe, the project supervisor. 

The first-place winners at all three levels will be awarded a week-long trip to London.

The competition was held at the American University of Kurdistan.