The final, National Round of the National English Spelling Competition was held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on April 27. Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Ketevan Natriashvili, representatives of the U.S. Embassy and Peace Corps, as well as invited guests attended the event.
The National English Spelling Competition (NESCGE) is an analog to an American Spelling BEE project and it was held for the fifth time in Georgia this year. The 8th – 12th grade students from various Georgian regions were involved. Over 3600 students, 450 teachers and 260 schools took part in the competition, consisting of three stages. Participants competed with each other in spelling difficult English words.
Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said that the competition is being held in many countries of the world. “The national committee has also been set up in Georgia to implement the project. A lot of students participated this year; a lot of schools were involved. The competition helps Georgian students and their teachers improve their English language skills,” he said.
“Access to education is of strategic importance for the Ministry of Education and Science. It should be noted that this competition is becoming more popular from year to year and the statistical figures prove it. Similar events promote civil integration of ethnic minorities, because they take an active part in the competition,” First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Ketevan Natriashvili said.
NESCGE was founded by Peace Corps Volunteers in Georgia and as the project of national importance, it is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the U.S. Embassy to Georgia, the U.S. Peace Corps, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, the British Council, PH International, IWA, etc.
