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You have questions? We have answers. See our detailed information on all of our competitive event guidelines, rubrics, rules, and criteria for the TeenEagle Global Finals.
Read about the Global Finals

Preface

Participating in various types of competitions is extremely beneficial for students of all ages. It is an essential component of a learning culture in which continuous improvement and teamwork are prioritised. The TeenEagle competition team believes that continuous learning and the ability to express oneself fluently should be the focus of every classroom. Many schools are participating in the TeenEagle competition with the goal of getting every student involved in writing and speaking activities, and teachers frequently use our competition to give everyone a chance to express themselves. We intend to instil this philosophy at the heart of every school. Continue reading to learn more about the rules and regulations for a variety of TeenEagle English competitions.

  1. A 45-question quiz will be administered to participants.
  2. The duration of the quiz is 60 minutes.
  3. Quiz questions will come in one of three formats: multiple-choice, true-or-false, and matching.
  4. The questions will be drawn from the resources chosen for your category, which are available on our website.
  5. Participants are not permitted to skip any questions.
  6. Participants will not be able to return to previous questions once they have submitted their answers.
  7. To submit your answer and move on to the next question, click the “Next Question” button.
  8. The exam’s question and answer sequence is randomised.
  9. Each question may be worth a different number of points.
  10. Incorrect answers will not result in a penalty.
  11. The remaining time for the quiz will be shown on the countdown, in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  12. All participants should answer all questions to the best of their abilities without seeking outside assistance.
  13. All programs and/or applications must be closed except for the browser tab with the Knowledge Quiz.
  14. Opening another browser or window before the end of the test is not permitted and will be interpreted as an attempt to contact external assistance.
  15. Any form of external assistance, such as that obtained from the Internet, books, other resources, parents, and so on, is strictly prohibited.
  16. Participants are not permitted to consult electronic or printed dictionaries or other similar resources to determine the meaning of any words or phrases.
  17. TeenEagle reserves the right to place a participant under review and/or disqualify them if external resources are suspected of being used.
  18. If a participant is unable to complete the exam in the time allotted, only the questions completed will be evaluated.
  19. If there are any difficulties with the internet connection, participants can refresh the page and continue from where they left off.
  20. In the event of a tie, the fastest participant wins.

Paper Based Guidelines

In case we cannot have the online Knowledge Quiz, we will have it paper-based. Guidelines for the paper-based Knowledge Quiz remain the same, except that participants will be able to pick the order of questions to be answered independently.

TeenEagle provides free sample exams covering the first 10% of the resources, which you can find below. We also regularly host sample Online Quiz preparation sessions.

Although participating in any type of speaking competition can be stressful and intimidating for some students, the benefits of public speaking are enormous. Thinking outside of one’s comfort zone and facing one’s fears prepares students for major and more difficult challenges in life.

Please adhere to the following guidelines for the Persuasive Speaking category:

  1. Participants’ speeches are limited to the topics assigned to them. Topics will be assigned ad hoc. Random groups of three participants will be formed, and each participant will have one minute to brainstorm and assist one another.
  2. Speeches must not exceed two (2) minutes in length. Speeches that are either less than one minute or more than two minutes long will have seven (7) points deducted from their total score.
  3. Each participant will compete twice in the Persuasive Speaking Challenge. One prompt will come from the Book Resource of their age category, and one prompt will come from the Film Resource of their age category.
  4. Speeches are not permitted to be read aloud from a script. Notes are permitted, but participants are strongly discouraged from reading for the duration. Reading directly from their notes will result in a negative grade.
  5. Judges look for originality in the topic presented, as well as in the language and vocabulary used, and any supporting details. Please refer to the rubric below for more information.
  6. During the competition, judges will flash a time warning at 1 minute and 30 seconds to inform the participant of the remaining time.
  7. No costumes or props of any kind are allowed. Participants will be allowed to wear TeenEagle clothing.

  8. In the case that a participant comes wearing anything other than the TeenEagle clothing, the following rules apply:

    1. Short or long sleeves are acceptable, while sleeveless tops are not.
    2. Shorts or skirts should reach the knee. Skirts shorter than knee-length should be worn with leggings underneath, but not tights.
    3. No icons depicting violence, discrimination, gang affiliation, sexual content, or brand loyalty.
    4. Non-religious head coverings are not permitted.
  9. Notes will be permitted, but no internet access will be permitted.
  10. No discussions among peers/teachers will be permitted during note-taking unless they are part of your assigned group. Each participant will get a 10% bonus based on their group performance.

Persuasive Speaking Assessment Rubric

Persuasive Speaking is assessed on the following criteria:

  • Task Response — the speech uses the resources mentioned as evidence and answers the topic directly
  • Structure and Organisation — the speech has an introduction, main part, and conclusion
  • Cohesion — ideas are logically connected using appropriate linking words
  • Lexical and Grammatical Accuracy — speech contains a range of lexical items, literary devices, and appropriate syntactic structures
  • Pronunciation — speech is delivered clearly, with emphatic articulation and enunciation—accent is not considered to be part of pronunciation

For more details on how points are awarded for each criterion, please refer to the table below.

Points awardedTask ResponseStructure and OrganisationCohesionLexical and Grammatical AccuracyPronunciation
0–1The speech lacks a clear outline and is not connected to the resources.The participant has demonstrated little to no organisation.Ideas are not connected or are presented in an illogical order.The participant consistently makes grammatical errors or uses the same words.Pronunciation makes it difficult to understand what is being said.
2–3The speech follows a basic outline and holds some connection to the resources.The participant is somewhat organised but is prone to tangents.Ideas have basic connections through the topic or linking words.The participant makes only a few grammatical errors, and the participant attempted to use synonyms.Some key words are mispronounced, and the speaking voice lacks range.
4–5The speech has a clear outline and direct references to the resources used.The participant demonstrates the expected level of organisation. Speech has a beginning, middle, and end.Ideas are linked together by the topic as well as by linking verbs.The participant makes few to no grammatical or pronunciation errors. Participant has a slightly larger lexicon than average and attempt to use keywords.Only a few words are mispronounced, and the participant incorporates a range of enunciation techniques.
6–7The speech incorporates and applies the resources actively, going beyond simple reference.In terms of organisation, the participant is above average. Speech is well-defined and imaginatively constructed.Ideas interact with one another and are presented as connected rather than individual.The participant makes no grammatical or pronunciation errors, and they use unusual or above-average vocabulary.Their speech is fluid, with clear intonation and enunciation, and is simple to understand.
Total Points35

TeenEagle provides free exemplars covering the Persuasive Speaking Challenge in more detail, which you can find here.

  1. The writing topics are based on the resources provided (a book and/or a film).
  2. Participants are encouraged to use the 15-minute preparation time to outline their essays with the help of their teammates. During this time, participants are free to use physical materials available to them, but not electronic ones.
  3. During the 45-minute writing time, no external resources are allowed other than the personal notes made during the aforementioned 15-minute preparation time.
  4. Participants are free to use all materials available to them, whether physical or electronic, during the 15-minute preparation time.
  5. Participants must submit their essays/stories to the chosen examiners at the end of the time limit.
  6. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited, and participants who are found to have plagiarised will be disqualified and receive no points for this challenge.
  7. Participants may not abandon the challenge or submit their essays/stories before or after the deadline.
  8. Leaving the assigned area is not permitted during the challenge; however, in exceptional circumstances or in the case of an emergency, participants may speak with a member of staff to discuss arrangements on an as-needed basis.
  9. Participants will have a total of one (1) page, with a word count based on their age category. TeenEagle One should write an essay of 120-150 words. TeenEagle Two should write an essay of 150-200 words. TeenEagle Three should write an essay of 200-250 words. Participants may not go beyond the one (1) page limit. Participants are discouraged from writing in smaller fonts, using margins, or taking any other action that will add more words.
  10. Participants should make a concerted effort to write as clearly and legibly as possible. Each participant will get a 10% bonus based on their group performance.

Writing Challenge Assessment Rubric

Writing Challenge is assessed on the following criteria:

  • Essay Presentation — the essay follows standard structures and formatting
  • Structure and Organisation — the essay has an introduction, main part, and conclusion
  • Proper Research — the essay incorporates data from the resources specified
  • Lexical and Grammatical Range — the essay uses appropriate and varied vocabulary and syntactic structures
  • Level of Analysis — the essay provides proof of serious thought and concern in regard to the prompt

For more details on how points are awarded for each criterion, please refer to the table below.

Points awardedEssay PresentationStructure and OrganisationProper ResearchLexical and Grammatical RangeLevel of Analysis
0–1The essay is written as a single or unfinished paragraph with little formatting.The essay has a lack of organisational structure and no connective devices.Points made lack either connection or relevance to the specified resources.The essay consistently contains grammatical errors or the same words.The essay contains surface-level points that are easily refuted.
2–3The essay is written with incomplete standardised formatting but shows the attempt.The essay is somewhat organised but is prone to tangents.Points made have minimal connection or relevance to the specified resources.The essay correctly uses the most basic grammar and vocabulary items.The essay contains at least one (1) point with a basic depth of analysis.
4–5The essay is written using the expected formatting and contains multiple paragraphs.The essay demonstrates the expected level of organisation. The essay has a beginning, middle, and end.Points made have stable connection or relevance to the specified resources.The essay correctly uses the expected grammar and vocabulary items in context.The essay contains at least two (2) points with a moderate depth of analysis.
6–7The essay utilises formatting as an applicable part of the essay experience and does so correctly.The essay exceeds expectations with an advanced organisation and engaging structure.Points made work cohesively with each other and the specified resources to extend the reach of the argument.The essay correctly and creatively uses a wide range of grammar, vocabulary items, and literary devices in context.The essay contains multiple points with a high depth of analysis.
Total Points35

TeenEagle provides free exemplars covering the Writing Challenge in more detail, which you can find here.

The spelling bee is done in a written form.

Please read the following for more information on the Spelling Bee format:

  1. The competition will be a written spelling bee for all competitors. 
  2. All rounds of the spelling bee are completely individual and are able to be done on the exam paper without speaking.
  3. The rounds of the Spelling Bee include multiple-choice questions, true/false, unscramble, and fill in the blank.
  4. The participants’ written words should be correct and complete. If a word contains special characters, they must be used (i.e., accents, capital letters, etc). Such symbols should be used when writing the word.
  5. In all rounds, competitors will be given word definitions. In some cases, competitors will also be given the first and/or last letter of each word.
  6. All words and definitions come from the TeenEagle Spelling Bee Lists, which can be found on our Downloads page. TeenEagle may simplify definitions from the Spelling Bee lists, but will not ask for a word that is not on the list.
  7. In all rounds, competitors will be given word definitions.
  8. Some examples of round forms would be circling the best spelling option, filling in the blanks of specific words, or stating whether a given spelling of a word is correct.

Spelling Bee Showcase Rules

  1. At the start of each individual round, each speller remaining in the spelling bee must spell one word.
  2. Students are encouraged to face the judges when pronouncing and spelling a word and to utter each letter clearly and loudly enough for the judges to understand. The word is considered misspelt if the speller makes undecipherable or nonsense sounds.
  3. After the pronouncer gives a word to the speller, the speller is encouraged to pronounce/say the word before and after spelling it. A speller will not be disqualified if he or she fails to pronounce or say the word before or after spelling it.
  4. The speller may request a definition, sentence, part of speech, alternate pronunciation, or re-pronunciation of a word. Such requests will be granted by the pronouncer until the judges agree that the word has been made reasonably clear to the contestant. The pronouncer’s pronunciation may not be questioned by the speller. Any speller who refuses to start spelling after being asked to do so may be disqualified by the judges.
  5. The judges enforce the rules and determine whether or not words are correctly spelt. In addition, they make final decisions on appeals. On all issues, their decision is final.
  6. After beginning to spell a word, a speller may stop and begin again, retracing the spelling from the beginning; however, there may be no change in the letters or their sequence from those first pronounced. The word is considered misspelt if letters or their sequences are changed during the respelling process.
  7. If a speller misses a word, they must remain in their seat on the stage until the round is finished. The next speller is given the next word on the pronouncer’s list. The spellers who misspell a word must leave the stage at the end of each round.
  8. If none of the spellers still competing in the Spelling Bee at the start of a round spells a word correctly during the round, all spellers will continue to compete.
  9. If only one of the spellers remaining in the Spelling Bee at the start of a round correctly spells a word during that round, a new round will begin, and the speller will be given the next word on the list to spell. If the speller correctly spells the word, he or she will be declared the champion. Otherwise, all spellers who were in the competition at the start of the previous round will continue to compete. A new round will begin, with all spellers remaining in their original order. Under no circumstances will any contestant be asked to correct another speller’s misspelling.
  10. During the final competition, the same elimination process will be used until only two spellers remain.
  11. The elimination procedure changes when the number of spellers is reduced to two. When a speller misspells a word, the other speller will be given the chance to spell that same word. If the second speller correctly spells that word, the pronouncer will give them their own word. They will be declared the winner if they spell that correctly as well. If, on the other hand, the second speller correctly spells the reassigned word (the word incorrectly spelt by the first speller) but misspells the new word assigned to them, the misspelt new word is given to the first speller. If the first speller correctly spells both the new word and the next word on the list, they are declared the winner. If both spellers misspell the same word, they will both be eliminated from the competition. This pattern will be repeated until a winner is determined.
  12. There will be no talking among the contestants or between the contestants and members of the audience. A contestant will be disqualified if they receive assistance from anyone in the audience. To avoid distracting the contestants, the audience is required to remain seated until a break is announced. Contestants who are caught talking may be disqualified.
  13. The competition is completely under the control of the Judges. Their choice is final.
  14. Dress code: Comfortable and casual, but appropriate.

The most important rule of all, whether you are a participant or a spectator, is to relax and have fun. 🙂

* Not all TeenEagle Global Finals will incorporate a Spelling Bee Showcase. The Showcase is not graded and exists only for entertainment.

TeenEagle provides free sample exams for the Spelling Bee, which you can find here (TeenEagle-1, TeenEagle-2, TeenEagle-3) You can find our full Spelling Bee Word Lists here (TeenEagle-1, TeenEagle-2, TeenEagle-3). You can also click here to go to our new Quizlet Spelling Bee Sets, where we’ve placed our full word list with many game options!