The SpellingKids Blog
Tips, guides, and learning science to help students win at spelling bee.
200 Difficult Grade 5 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 5 spelling words by category — loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, compounds & more — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 10 Spelling Words
200 of the hardest Grade 10 spelling words by category — rare loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, double consonants & more — with audio and free practice.
Read More →Homophones vs. Homographs: Key Differences
Homophones sound alike but are spelled differently; homographs are spelled alike but sound different. Learn the difference, with 50+ spelling bee examples.
Read More →200 Homographs for Spelling Bee Prep
Homographs share one spelling but can differ in meaning and pronunciation. See why they trip up spellers, plus 200 homograph examples with definitions.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 4 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 4 spelling words by category — silent letters, vowels, double consonants & more — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 6 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 6 spelling words by category — loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, double consonants — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 7 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 7 spelling words by category — loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, double consonants — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 8 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 8 spelling words by category — loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, double consonants — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 9 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 9 spelling words by category — loanwords, Latin & Greek roots, double consonants — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →Greek Words Used in English: Spelling Tips
Phone, psychology, gym, and phenomena came from Greek and carry spelling patterns English phonics won't predict. Here's how to spell them with confidence.
Read More →Spanish Words Used in English: Spelling Tips
Tortilla, rodeo, vanilla, and jalapeño came from Spanish and carry spelling patterns English phonics won't predict. Here's how to spell them with confidence.
Read More →German Words Used in English: Spelling Tips
Kindergarten, pretzel, and waltz came from German and carry spelling patterns English phonics won't predict. Here's how to spell them with confidence.
Read More →French Loanwords That Break English Rules
Ballet, buffet, chef, and unique break the phonics rules English spellers rely on, because they aren't English rules at all. Spell them with confidence.
Read More →1,000 Homophones for Spelling Bee Prep
Homophones are one of the most common ways spellers lose points at a bee. See what makes them tricky, plus 1,000 homophone pairs with definitions.
Read More →Italian Words Used in English: Spelling Tips
Pizza, piano, and staccato came from Italian and carry spelling patterns English phonics won't predict. Here's how to spell them with confidence.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 2 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 2 spelling words by category — silent letters, vowel teams, homophones & more — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 1 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 1 spelling words by category — digraphs, blends, vowel teams & more — with definitions, audio, and free flashcards & practice tests.
Read More →200 Difficult Grade 3 Spelling Words
200 difficult Grade 3 spelling words by category — silent letters, homophones, multi-syllable & more — with definitions, audio, and free practice tests.
Read More →NSF Spelling Bee Practice & Prep
Free North South Foundation spelling bee practice: grade-level word lists, audio pronunciation, and spaced repetition — on the web or free Android app.
Read More →Spaced Repetition & NSF Spelling Bee Success
The science-backed study method behind lasting word retention — and exactly why it matters so much for North South Foundation (NSF) Spelling Bee success.
Read More →Spelling Games for NSF Spelling Bee Prep
Turn NSF Spelling Bee prep into play — free Word Jumble, Word Trivia, and a timed 90-second Spell-Off Challenge, all built on real competition-level words.
Read More →Free Spelling Bee Word Lists
Free spelling bee word lists to download and study at no cost. Grade 4 and Grade 5 competition lists are available now, with more grades added regularly.
Read More →South Asian Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
A premier regional English spelling competition uniting young spellers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and beyond on a shared stage.
Read More →Singapore Primary Spelling Bee: Guide
One of Singapore's most prominent academic competitions for primary students, testing English vocabulary mastery in a top education-focused nation.
Read More →Scripps National Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
The most famous and prestigious spelling competition in the world — a century-old American institution that launches vocabulary champions.
Read More →North South Foundation Spelling Bee: Guide
One of the most respected academic competitions for students of Indian origin in North America, pairing education with competitive spelling.
Read More →North American Spelling Champion Challenge
A premier cross-border competition bringing together top young spellers from the US, Canada, and Mexico to compete for the continental title.
Read More →National Vocabulary Championship: Guide
Goes beyond spelling to test the full depth of English word knowledge — definitions, usage, and meaning — in one of the most demanding competitions.
Read More →National Spelling Bee of Nigeria: Guide
Nigeria's premier English spelling competition, giving students a prestigious national platform to showcase vocabulary mastery and excellence.
Read More →MaRRS Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
One of Asia's largest and most celebrated English spelling competitions, drawing hundreds of thousands of students across the continent yearly.
Read More →Japan Times Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
Japan's most recognised English spelling competition, organised by The Japan Times, giving students a platform to show vocabulary mastery.
Read More →ISB Spelling Bee (Global): Complete Guide
A truly global English spelling competition connecting students worldwide — one of the most inclusive platforms for young vocabulary champions.
Read More →India Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
One of the largest and most competitive spelling bee events in Asia, giving millions of Indian students a path from school rounds to nationals.
Read More →Eton Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
One of the most prestigious spelling competitions in the UK, held at historic Eton College and drawing spellers from schools across Britain.
Read More →Canadian National Spelling Bee: Guide
One of the most celebrated academic competitions in Canada, giving students coast to coast a stage to showcase English vocabulary mastery.
Read More →Bahamas National Spelling Bee: Guide
A prestigious academic competition giving Bahamian students a national stage to showcase English vocabulary skills at the highest level.
Read More →Australian National Spelling Bee: Guide
One of the largest and most respected spelling competitions in the Asia-Pacific region, with a pathway from classroom to national champion.
Read More →African Spelling Bee: Complete Guide
A continent-wide competition giving students across Africa a prestigious platform to showcase English vocabulary skills at the highest level.
Read More →ADA International Spelling Bee: Guide
One of the most prestigious global spelling competitions, welcoming students from dozens of countries to compete in English vocabulary.
Read More →Top Spelling Bee Competitions in the World
Spelling bee competitions are held on every continent, giving students a chance to test vocabulary skills on regional, national, and world stages.
Read More →How to Choose the Right Spelling Bee Grade
Picking the wrong grade is one of the most common mistakes students make when starting spelling bee prep. Here's how to find the right fit.
Read More →Why the Android App Beats the Website
Websites are convenient, but when it comes to serious spelling bee preparation, a dedicated Android app has clear advantages that matter on competition day.
Read More →What Is Spaced Repetition & Why It Works
Spaced repetition is the most scientifically validated memorization technique known to cognitive science. Here is why SpellingKids uses it.
Read More →Top Spelling Bee Preparation Tips
Winning a spelling bee requires more than just memorizing words. These battle-tested tips will help you prepare smarter and perform better on competition day.
Read More →Why Every Student Should Try a Spelling Bee
Spelling bees are more than just spelling tests. They are a unique educational experience that builds skills students carry for the rest of their lives.
Read More →Ready to Start Winning?
Download the free SpellingKids app and put these tips into practice today.