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Why Are Indian Kids So Good At Spelling?

Posted by StoneLion on from the i-n-t-e-l-l-i-g-e-n-t dept.

theodp writes "Slate's Ben Paynter looks into why Indian kids dominate the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and concludes it's because they have their own minor-league spelling bee circuit (having the discipline to spell 7,000 to 8,000 words a day probably helps too!). Indian-Americans make up about 1% of the US population, notes Paynter, but this year an estimated 11% of the competitors at Scripps will hail from regional contests run by the North South Foundation. The NSF competitions function as a kind of nerd Olympiad for Indian-Americans — there are separate divisions for math, science, vocabulary, geography, essay writing, and even public speaking — and a way to raise money for college scholarships for underprivileged students in India. BTW, Strollerderby has the scoop on Whatever Happened to the Spellbound Kids? (RIP, Ted Brigham)."

6 of 534 comments (clear)

  1. Life Perspective by Bicx · · Score: 1, Troll

    Some societies promote knowledge and mental discipline as keys to success. Others have come to prefer art, sports, and pursuit of whatever makes you feel good at the time. I'll let you categorize appropriately.


    (Disclaimer: I know I'm overgeneralizing, but it's fun and it makes me feel good)

  2. kan u speel n1gg3rfagg0t? by slashsloth · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hay, I'm Indeen u unsensative klod!

    --
    The ducks in the bathroom are not mine. [http://www.27bslash6.com]
    1. Re:kan u speel n1gg3rfagg0t? by jgagnon · · Score: 0, Troll

      Don't kill the messANGER!

      --
      Remember to maintain your supply of /facepalm oil to prevent chafing.
  3. They are Americans! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    They are Americans, not Indian-Americans. You racist liberals need to stop the segregation. It's E Pluribus Unum, not E Pluribus Pluribus.

  4. No no... it's cats. by drumcat · · Score: 0, Troll

    There are no LOLCats and LOLDogs in India... They're LOLLunch and LOLDinner.

  5. Re:Bees are nonsense by LWATCDR · · Score: 0, Troll

    SpaceLab was not a space station unless you count the Shuttle as a space station.
    Mir? Almaz and Salyut series and Skylab predated Mir. Mir was interesting for it's size and the fact that it was "assembled" in orbit.
    So for you error and arrogance do you think you should just punished by summary imprisonment.

    --
    See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.