INFLUENCE OF SPELLING BEE COMPETITIONS ON PUPILS' EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING IN NIGERIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

This study investigated the influence of Spelling Bee competitions on the emotional well-being of Primary 5 pupils in English language learning across selected schools in Ebonyi and Enugu States, Nigeria. Using a survey design, the study sampled 120 pupils from five primary schools. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires distributed with the assistance of teachers and analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with a 2.50 cut-off mark. Findings revealed that while Spelling Bees promote English orthography, they often trigger anxiety, fear of public failure, and reduced motivation—particularly among pupils affected by mother tongue interference. The study also found that emotional distress after losing competitions negatively influenced pupils' willingness to participate in future English tasks. Pupils suggested emotionally supportive strategies such as encouragement, pronunciation training, and game-based learning. The study recommends trauma-aware, inclusive instructional strategies for English teachers preparing pupils for language competitions.