Catch the kick-off of The Big Spell at Westgate Mall in Jurong on Saturday, from 11.30am to 1pm.

This is the first time this event is open to the public and the launch of the RHB-The Straits Times National Spelling Championship promises those who dare a taste of the intensity of the game, right on stage.

Pupils from Yangzheng Primary and Yu Neng Primary will also go head to head in a spell-off to mark the start of the spelling season. Held in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE), the three-month competition is expected to have more than 1,000 primary schoolers vie for its top prize of $5,000 and a challenge trophy for his school.

Last year's champ, Ashvin Sivakumar from Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), memorably trumped the competition by acing the word "pulchritudinous".

"We're all thrilled that The Big Spell has become the mind sport to watch every year," said Ms Serene Goh, the broadsheet's editor of IN and Little Red Dot. "In fact, we know of more than a few who have been training since the start of the year."

Schools can register up to 10 participants and two reserves each from Saturday until Feb 24.

Ahead of the preliminary round, The Straits Times, together with MOE, will conduct a free workshop for all MOE teachers on Tuesday.

MOE master teacher Mrs Soo Kim Bee and Straits Times Schools correspondent Ms Debra Ann Francisco will share tips and classroom activities in a hands-on workshop to help teachers give their pupils life-long spelling skills.

Also from Jan 28, The Straits Times weekly publication for primary schools Little Red Dot will run a series of tips and activities to help pupils improve their spelling.

Teachers interested in the briefing can write to bigspell2014@punch.com.sg with their details.