Running a Spanish spelling bee is a powerful way to build language confidence, reinforce spelling patterns, and celebrate Spanish learning. But if you have ever considered hosting one, you already know that it can feel overwhelming to plan.
The good news is that a Spanish spelling bee does not need to be complicated to be effective. With a clear structure and the right materials, you can run a smooth, fair, and meaningful competition in your classroom or across your school.
Here is how to run a Spanish spelling bee step by step, and how to avoid the most common planning roadblocks.
Looking for a shortcut? Click here to shop my ready-to-go Spanish spelling bee kits.
Start With a Clear Structure
Before thinking about words or materials, decide what type of Spanish spelling bee you are running.
You might be planning a classroom-level spelling bee to build confidence and practice language skills. You might also be coordinating a schoolwide Spanish spelling bee where classroom winners compete. Both work well, but they require slightly different levels of organization.
At a minimum, students need to know how the spelling bee works, what they are allowed to ask for, how words are judged, and what happens when a word is misspelled. Clear rules create confidence and fairness, especially for multilingual learners.
Make Sure Everyone Studies From the Same List
One of the biggest keys to a fair Spanish spelling bee is consistency. All students should study from the same word list.
When students prepare from different lists or from random classroom materials, the competition can feel uneven. A shared list ensures that all students have access to the same expectations and the same level of challenge.
This is especially important for schoolwide competitions, where students may be coming from different classrooms or grade levels.
Finding the Right Word List Is the Hardest Part
This is the part where most teachers get stuck.
If you are trying to build your own Spanish spelling bee list, you have a few options. You can pull words from your Spanish language arts curriculum. Many teachers choose vocabulary or spelling words students have already seen in class and then pick and choose from those lists.
That approach can work, but it takes time. You need to think about spelling patterns, accents, special characters, and how to sequence words from easier to more difficult.
I also tried using AI to help create a Spanish spelling bee word list. In theory, it sounds like a shortcut. In reality, it grouped words by meaning instead of spelling patterns and made some very odd choices. Words that should not belong together ended up side by side, and the progression did not make sense for students.
Finding and organizing words is by far the most time-consuming part of planning a Spanish spelling bee. It is also the part that determines whether the competition feels fair and developmentally appropriate.
That is exactly why I created my Spanish spelling bee word list. It includes 400 words that are intentionally ordered to become progressively more challenging. The list is designed around spelling difficulty, not meaning, so students build confidence before moving into more complex patterns.
Use a Word Reference Guide for Judges
Another piece that often gets overlooked is support for judges and pronouncers.
During a Spanish spelling bee, judges need quick access to definitions and sentences. Pausing the competition to look up a word breaks the flow and can feel stressful for students.
A complete word reference guide solves this problem. When every word already includes a definition and a sentence, the spelling bee runs smoothly and consistently from start to finish.
Plan Ahead With Teacher and Student Materials
Strong preparation leads to a calm competition day.
Students benefit from a clear study guide that explains the rules in student-friendly language. Teachers benefit from step-by-step directions that explain how to prepare, organize, and run the Spanish spelling bee without guesswork.
Recording sheets also help you track student progress accurately, and certificates give students a sense of pride and accomplishment, regardless of how far they advance.
Make It Easy on Yourself
You can absolutely piece together a Spanish spelling bee on your own. But it takes time, trial and error, and a lot of organization.
If you want a streamlined option, my Spanish Spelling Bee resources were created to be all-you-need classroom and schoolwide kits. They include the 400-word progressive list, student study guides, rules in English and Spanish, teacher and coordinator directions, a complete word reference guide with definitions and sentences, recording sheets, certificates, and fully editable Google Slides.
If finding the right words feels like the biggest hurdle, you do not have to reinvent the wheel. You can focus on supporting your students and celebrating their Spanish language growth, while the structure is already done for you.
If you are ready to run a Spanish spelling bee with confidence, you can find the full classroom kit, schoolwide kit, or bundle for sale in my Teachers Pay Teacher’s Store. Or click the image below to explore more.
