Question
1. Introduction
In alignment with the growing emphasis on multilingualism and cultural inclusivity in
higher education, the Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition was
successfully hosted on 17 April 2025 at the Albert Wessels Auditorium from 14:00 to
17:00. This event was jointly organized by the Academy of Multilingualism, the Faculty
of Humanities, Teaching and Learning Office and the Student Governance Office under
our Faculty Student Council Coordinator. The initiative sought to promote linguistic
diversity, student engagement, and intellectual challenge through a structured spelling
competition across four of South Africa’s official languages: Sesotho, English, Afrikaans,
and IsiZulu.
2. Objectives
The competition was established with the following key objectives:
To celebrate and foster multilingual proficiency among first-year university
students.
To create an inclusive academic environment that values indigenous languages
equally, and diversity.
To encourage academic excellence through language-based co-curricular
activities.
To highlight the role of language in shaping identity, cognition, and educational
success.
3. Format and Structure of the Competition
The competition was structured to accommodate participants from diverse linguistic
backgrounds. Students registered in one of the four target languages and competed
within that category. Each language category operated semi-independently, with
adjudicators fluent in the relevant language ensuring fairness and linguistic accuracy.
Each language session followed a standardized spelling bee format:
Preliminary Rounds: Participants spelled words of increasing complexity.
Elimination Rounds: Incorrect spelling resulted in elimination from the round.
Final Round: The last participants who had a tie competed until a winner was
declared.
Our prestige honours students who were judges facilitated the transitions between
language categories, and simultaneous interpretation was provided when necessary to
promote inclusivity and comprehension for all participants.
4. Participation and Attendance
While the event was academically enriching and logistically well-executed, a critical
challenge emerged regarding participant attendance. Although the initial registration
numbers were promising, actual turnout was significantly lower than expected, with a
total of 44 students competing across the four languages. The estimated breakdown is
as follows:
Language Registered Attended
Sesotho 8 5
English 19 6
Afrikaans 2 1
IsiZulu 15 5
This discrepancy raises concerns about either the effectiveness of communication,
scheduling conflicts, or broader student engagement patterns.
5. Evaluation and Feedback
Feedback collected from attendees and participants indicated high levels of satisfaction
with the quality of the competition, the fairness of the adjudication, and the
professionalism of the organization. Participants appreciated the opportunity to engage
academically in their mother tongues and expressed interest in future iterations of the
event.
However, many cited the following as barriers to participation:
Clash with academic timetables and tests.
Lack of awareness or inadequate promotion.
Pronunciation of the words by the judges
Venue unfamiliarity, particularly among first-year students.
6. Recommendations for Improving Participation
To increase attendance and engagement in future multilingual competitions, the
following strategies are proposed:
6.1. Early Planning and Scheduling
Coordinate with academic departments to avoid scheduling during peak academic
periods. Hosting the event during a week of reduced academic activity or as part of a
broader Language Awareness Week may be beneficial.
6.2. Enhanced Marketing and Communication
Work with the Communications Office and First-Year Experience (FYE) coordinators to
ensure multi-platform advertising. Posters, email campaigns, WhatsApp student group
announcements, and class visits should be employed for awareness-raising.
6.3. Faculty and Peer Mentorship
Involve language lecturers and student tutors as motivators or judges to help
participants prepare. Familiarizing students with the format and building confidence
could improve turnout.
6.4. Virtual and Hybrid Options
Offer a parallel virtual participation track for students who may not be able to attend in
person, expanding accessibility and convenience.
7. Acknowledgments
This initiative would not have been possible without the generous support and
commitment of the following partners:
The Academy of Multilingualism, for conceptual leadership and linguistic
expertise- they assisted highly with the prizes. 4 trophies and 12 medals with the
purchase of water for attendees included.
The Faculty of Humanities, for logistical support and assisting with poster, tokens
of appreciation, and printing of the necessary documents that were needed for
the event to be a success.
The Faculty Student Council Coordinator and SRC Academics, venue provision,
and strategic alignment with institutional goals. They also assisted with the
refreshments that was needed for the event
Special thanks are also extended to the Library Mr Goliath, Masters student who were
judges, and our colleagues from other FSC who ensured the seamless execution of the
competition. Not forgetting to acknowledge our performances from the dancers, poets,
to the singers we had on stage that kept the mood of the competition vibrant.
Congratulations to our first ever Winners of the Humanities first year multilingual
spelling bee competition:
English: 1 st –
2 nd –
3 rd -
IsiZulu: 1 st -
2 nd -
3 rd –
Afrikaans: 1 st -
2 nd –
3 rd –
Sesotho: 1 st –
2 nd –
3 rd –
8. Conclusion
The First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition represents a meaningful step
toward fostering a linguistically inclusive academic culture. Despite the challenge of
limited participant attendance, the event showcased the intellectual potential and
enthusiasm of first-year students across four national languages. With refined planning
and strategic promotion, this initiative holds promise to become a flagship annual event
that celebrates South Africa’s rich linguistic heritage. paraphrase this report for me and write it in a different structure
In alignment with the growing emphasis on multilingualism and cultural inclusivity in
higher education, the Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition was
successfully hosted on 17 April 2025 at the Albert Wessels Auditorium from 14:00 to
17:00. This event was jointly organized by the Academy of Multilingualism, the Faculty
of Humanities, Teaching and Learning Office and the Student Governance Office under
our Faculty Student Council Coordinator. The initiative sought to promote linguistic
diversity, student engagement, and intellectual challenge through a structured spelling
competition across four of South Africa’s official languages: Sesotho, English, Afrikaans,
and IsiZulu.
2. Objectives
The competition was established with the following key objectives:
To celebrate and foster multilingual proficiency among first-year university
students.
To create an inclusive academic environment that values indigenous languages
equally, and diversity.
To encourage academic excellence through language-based co-curricular
activities.
To highlight the role of language in shaping identity, cognition, and educational
success.
3. Format and Structure of the Competition
The competition was structured to accommodate participants from diverse linguistic
backgrounds. Students registered in one of the four target languages and competed
within that category. Each language category operated semi-independently, with
adjudicators fluent in the relevant language ensuring fairness and linguistic accuracy.
Each language session followed a standardized spelling bee format:
Preliminary Rounds: Participants spelled words of increasing complexity.
Elimination Rounds: Incorrect spelling resulted in elimination from the round.
Final Round: The last participants who had a tie competed until a winner was
declared.
Our prestige honours students who were judges facilitated the transitions between
language categories, and simultaneous interpretation was provided when necessary to
promote inclusivity and comprehension for all participants.
4. Participation and Attendance
While the event was academically enriching and logistically well-executed, a critical
challenge emerged regarding participant attendance. Although the initial registration
numbers were promising, actual turnout was significantly lower than expected, with a
total of 44 students competing across the four languages. The estimated breakdown is
as follows:
Language Registered Attended
Sesotho 8 5
English 19 6
Afrikaans 2 1
IsiZulu 15 5
This discrepancy raises concerns about either the effectiveness of communication,
scheduling conflicts, or broader student engagement patterns.
5. Evaluation and Feedback
Feedback collected from attendees and participants indicated high levels of satisfaction
with the quality of the competition, the fairness of the adjudication, and the
professionalism of the organization. Participants appreciated the opportunity to engage
academically in their mother tongues and expressed interest in future iterations of the
event.
However, many cited the following as barriers to participation:
Clash with academic timetables and tests.
Lack of awareness or inadequate promotion.
Pronunciation of the words by the judges
Venue unfamiliarity, particularly among first-year students.
6. Recommendations for Improving Participation
To increase attendance and engagement in future multilingual competitions, the
following strategies are proposed:
6.1. Early Planning and Scheduling
Coordinate with academic departments to avoid scheduling during peak academic
periods. Hosting the event during a week of reduced academic activity or as part of a
broader Language Awareness Week may be beneficial.
6.2. Enhanced Marketing and Communication
Work with the Communications Office and First-Year Experience (FYE) coordinators to
ensure multi-platform advertising. Posters, email campaigns, WhatsApp student group
announcements, and class visits should be employed for awareness-raising.
6.3. Faculty and Peer Mentorship
Involve language lecturers and student tutors as motivators or judges to help
participants prepare. Familiarizing students with the format and building confidence
could improve turnout.
6.4. Virtual and Hybrid Options
Offer a parallel virtual participation track for students who may not be able to attend in
person, expanding accessibility and convenience.
7. Acknowledgments
This initiative would not have been possible without the generous support and
commitment of the following partners:
The Academy of Multilingualism, for conceptual leadership and linguistic
expertise- they assisted highly with the prizes. 4 trophies and 12 medals with the
purchase of water for attendees included.
The Faculty of Humanities, for logistical support and assisting with poster, tokens
of appreciation, and printing of the necessary documents that were needed for
the event to be a success.
The Faculty Student Council Coordinator and SRC Academics, venue provision,
and strategic alignment with institutional goals. They also assisted with the
refreshments that was needed for the event
Special thanks are also extended to the Library Mr Goliath, Masters student who were
judges, and our colleagues from other FSC who ensured the seamless execution of the
competition. Not forgetting to acknowledge our performances from the dancers, poets,
to the singers we had on stage that kept the mood of the competition vibrant.
Congratulations to our first ever Winners of the Humanities first year multilingual
spelling bee competition:
English: 1 st –
2 nd –
3 rd -
IsiZulu: 1 st -
2 nd -
3 rd –
Afrikaans: 1 st -
2 nd –
3 rd –
Sesotho: 1 st –
2 nd –
3 rd –
8. Conclusion
The First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition represents a meaningful step
toward fostering a linguistically inclusive academic culture. Despite the challenge of
limited participant attendance, the event showcased the intellectual potential and
enthusiasm of first-year students across four national languages. With refined planning
and strategic promotion, this initiative holds promise to become a flagship annual event
that celebrates South Africa’s rich linguistic heritage. paraphrase this report for me and write it in a different structure
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Report on the Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition
#### Event Overview
On April 17, 2025, the Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition took place at the Albert Wessels Auditorium from 14:00 to 17:00. This event was a collaborative effort involving the Academy of Multilingualism, the Faculty of Humanities, Teaching and Learning Office, and the Student Governance Office, aimed at promoting cultural diversity and multilingualism in higher education. Participants competed in four of South Africa’s official languages: Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, and IsiZulu, highlighting the importance of linguistic variety and student involvement.
#### Goals of the Competition
The event was designed to achieve several key objectives:
- To acknowledge and cultivate multilingual competencies among first-year university students.
- To create an inclusive academic environment that values all languages and fosters diversity.
- To promote academic excellence through language-oriented extracurricular activities.
- To underscore the significance of language in shaping identity, cognitive development, and educational success.
#### Structure of the Competition
The competition was organized to suit students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, with each participant registering to compete in their chosen language. The format included:
- **Preliminary Rounds:** Participants spelled progressively challenging words.
- **Elimination Rounds:** Incorrect words resulted in elimination.
- **Final Round:** Remaining participants competed until a winner was announced.
Judges fluent in each language oversaw the competition, ensuring fairness and accuracy, while facilitators helped transition between categories. Simultaneous interpretation was provided to enhance understanding and inclusivity.
#### Participation Insights
Despite a well-conceived format, participant turnout fell short of expectations. A total of 44 students registered and competed, with attendance numbers as follows:
- Sesotho: Registered - 8, Attended - 5
- English: Registered - 19, Attended - 6
- Afrikaans: Registered - 2, Attended - 1
- IsiZulu: Registered - 15, Attended - 5
This significant disparity raises concerns about communication effectiveness, potential scheduling conflicts, or overall student engagement.
#### Attendee Feedback
Feedback from both attendees and participants highlighted a high satisfaction level concerning competition quality, fairness, and organization. Many expressed a desire for future events involving academic engagement in their native languages. However, participants cited several barriers to attendance, including:
- Conflicts with academic schedules or tests.
- Ineffective promotion and awareness.
- Clarity of word pronunciation by judges.
- Unfamiliarity with the venue, especially among first-year students.
#### Recommendations for Future Competitions
To enhance attendance and student involvement in future multilingual events, the following recommendations are proposed:
1. **Improved Scheduling:** Collaborate with academic departments to avoid peak academic times. Organizing the event during a less intensive academic week, or as part of a Language Awareness Week, may be useful.
2. **Targeted Marketing:** Work with the Communications Office and First-Year Experience coordinators to implement a multi-faceted promotional strategy, utilizing posters, emails, WhatsApp group messages, and in-class announcements.
3. **Mentorship Engagement:** Involve language lecturers and student mentors to support participants in their preparation, helping them familiarize with the format and boosting confidence for increased turnout.
4. **Hybrid Attendance Options:** Introduce a virtual participation track for students unable to attend in person, thus increasing accessibility.
#### Acknowledgments
The success of this event was made possible by the collaboration and resources provided by several partners:
- **Academy of Multilingualism:** For their conceptual leadership, linguistic support, and provision of prizes including trophies and medals.
- **Faculty of Humanities:** For logistical assistance, promotional materials, and necessary documentation.
- **Faculty Student Council Coordinator and SRC Academics:** For venue arrangement and alignment with institutional goals, along with providing refreshments.
Sincere thanks are also extended to Mr. Goliath from the Library, the master’s student judges, the collaborations from other student councils, and the entertainers who energized the event.
#### Winners of the Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the first Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition:
- **English:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **IsiZulu:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **Afrikaans:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **Sesotho:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
#### Conclusion
The First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition marked an important stride towards fostering an inclusive academic culture that appreciates linguistic diversity. While attendance was less than anticipated, the event revealed the excitement and intellectual potential of first-year students across multiple languages. With improved planning and promotional strategies, this initiative could evolve into a notable annual event celebrating South Africa's rich linguistic landscape.
#### Event Overview
On April 17, 2025, the Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition took place at the Albert Wessels Auditorium from 14:00 to 17:00. This event was a collaborative effort involving the Academy of Multilingualism, the Faculty of Humanities, Teaching and Learning Office, and the Student Governance Office, aimed at promoting cultural diversity and multilingualism in higher education. Participants competed in four of South Africa’s official languages: Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, and IsiZulu, highlighting the importance of linguistic variety and student involvement.
#### Goals of the Competition
The event was designed to achieve several key objectives:
- To acknowledge and cultivate multilingual competencies among first-year university students.
- To create an inclusive academic environment that values all languages and fosters diversity.
- To promote academic excellence through language-oriented extracurricular activities.
- To underscore the significance of language in shaping identity, cognitive development, and educational success.
#### Structure of the Competition
The competition was organized to suit students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, with each participant registering to compete in their chosen language. The format included:
- **Preliminary Rounds:** Participants spelled progressively challenging words.
- **Elimination Rounds:** Incorrect words resulted in elimination.
- **Final Round:** Remaining participants competed until a winner was announced.
Judges fluent in each language oversaw the competition, ensuring fairness and accuracy, while facilitators helped transition between categories. Simultaneous interpretation was provided to enhance understanding and inclusivity.
#### Participation Insights
Despite a well-conceived format, participant turnout fell short of expectations. A total of 44 students registered and competed, with attendance numbers as follows:
- Sesotho: Registered - 8, Attended - 5
- English: Registered - 19, Attended - 6
- Afrikaans: Registered - 2, Attended - 1
- IsiZulu: Registered - 15, Attended - 5
This significant disparity raises concerns about communication effectiveness, potential scheduling conflicts, or overall student engagement.
#### Attendee Feedback
Feedback from both attendees and participants highlighted a high satisfaction level concerning competition quality, fairness, and organization. Many expressed a desire for future events involving academic engagement in their native languages. However, participants cited several barriers to attendance, including:
- Conflicts with academic schedules or tests.
- Ineffective promotion and awareness.
- Clarity of word pronunciation by judges.
- Unfamiliarity with the venue, especially among first-year students.
#### Recommendations for Future Competitions
To enhance attendance and student involvement in future multilingual events, the following recommendations are proposed:
1. **Improved Scheduling:** Collaborate with academic departments to avoid peak academic times. Organizing the event during a less intensive academic week, or as part of a Language Awareness Week, may be useful.
2. **Targeted Marketing:** Work with the Communications Office and First-Year Experience coordinators to implement a multi-faceted promotional strategy, utilizing posters, emails, WhatsApp group messages, and in-class announcements.
3. **Mentorship Engagement:** Involve language lecturers and student mentors to support participants in their preparation, helping them familiarize with the format and boosting confidence for increased turnout.
4. **Hybrid Attendance Options:** Introduce a virtual participation track for students unable to attend in person, thus increasing accessibility.
#### Acknowledgments
The success of this event was made possible by the collaboration and resources provided by several partners:
- **Academy of Multilingualism:** For their conceptual leadership, linguistic support, and provision of prizes including trophies and medals.
- **Faculty of Humanities:** For logistical assistance, promotional materials, and necessary documentation.
- **Faculty Student Council Coordinator and SRC Academics:** For venue arrangement and alignment with institutional goals, along with providing refreshments.
Sincere thanks are also extended to Mr. Goliath from the Library, the master’s student judges, the collaborations from other student councils, and the entertainers who energized the event.
#### Winners of the Competition
Congratulations to the winners of the first Humanities First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition:
- **English:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **IsiZulu:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **Afrikaans:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
- **Sesotho:**
1st -
2nd -
3rd -
#### Conclusion
The First-Year Multilingual Spelling Bee Competition marked an important stride towards fostering an inclusive academic culture that appreciates linguistic diversity. While attendance was less than anticipated, the event revealed the excitement and intellectual potential of first-year students across multiple languages. With improved planning and promotional strategies, this initiative could evolve into a notable annual event celebrating South Africa's rich linguistic landscape.