There were achievements, but also some regrets for the first time

All five students were participating in the SPBCN for the first time.

From their pre-competition preparations to taking the national stage, they went through intense training, repeated mock competitions, and unexpected challenges during the event. Some were eliminated because they hesitated over a single letter, while others gave it their all in the repechage but fell just short.

“It would be a lie to say I don’t feel disappointed,” said a student who was eliminated in the second round. “But I still want to come back next year.”

The accompanying teacher remarked, “Their composure on stage left a deeper impression than their rankings. Facing a competition venue with thousands of people for the first time, they managed to stay calm and collected—that’s truly impressive.”

What else is there besides spelling?

The SPBCN stage comes around only once a year.

But in the daily life at HIS, English is “put to use” every single day: spelling bees, Model United Nations, English speech contests, theater festivals… Every activity is an opportunity for children to “do something in English.” At the same time, students are immersed in a multicultural environment where they can also learn Mandarin Chinese through authentic communication and cultural experiences, further expanding their ability to connect across languages and cultures.

A comment Priyaan made after the competition might answer the question, “What’s the point of spelling?”:

“I used to think of English as just a subject to take a test in. Now I see it as a tool. It helps me read the books I want to read, chat with friends from different countries, and prove myself on the competition stage.”

Using words as a bridge to connect with the world.

This isn’t just a slogan on the wall—it’s what they practice every day.

Next year, they want to go to the National Finals again.