Contest Overview

This is a writing contest for all English language learners (ELLs) in grades 7-12–regardless of their proficiency level, immigration status, or native language.

ELLs are invited to explore themes of identity, culture, language, heritage, and/or immigration by answering the question: “Who am I?”

There are two categories students can choose from when submitting:

• Category 1: Judged on Content and Mechanics (English submission only)
• Category 2: Judged on Content Only (English submission and native language submission)

All entries must be submitted by a mentor teacher.

Rules and Eligibility

• ELLs must currently be a student in 7th-12th grade attending school in any of the 50 states, Washington D.C., or any U.S. territory.
• Students must be currently identified as an ELL within their school system according their state’s standards. (Students who tested out in the 24-25 school year or are on “monitor status” after testing out are not eligible to compete.)
• Students may only submit one entry total. Students cannot enter multiple submissions, nor can they submit a piece (or pieces) to both categories.
• All entries must be original work. Students may not use AI. Entries may not be written or heavily revised by someone other than the ELL.
• All entries must be reviewed, approved by, and submitted by a mentor teacher. The mentor teacher will serve as a contact for the competition should we have any questions. For homeschooled students, please contact a mentor to sponsor your writing.
• With the help of mentor teachers, the parents or guardians of winners will be contacted and asked to sign a consent form to allow their student’s work to be published and to accept the cash prize.

Submission Requirements

There is no entry fee for this writing contest. All entries must be submitted by a mentor teacher.*

Category 1: Judged on Content and Mechanics

• Cover page including a title, the student’s first name only, the student’s grade level, and the student’s city and state
• Essay including a title and the essay
• Answers the prompt: “Who am I?”
• 350 – 600 words
• Written in English
• Typed and double-spaced
• Submitted by November 14, 2025 at 11:59 MST
• Teachers can upload documents or PDFs

Category 2: Judged on Content Only

• Cover page including a title, the student’s first name only, the student’s grade level, and the student’s city and state
• Essay including a title and the essay
• Answers the prompt: “Who am I?”
• 350 – 600 words
• Written in English and in native language
• Typed and double-spaced
• Submitted by November 14, 2025 at 11:59 MST
• Teachers can upload documents or PDFs. The English and native language copies must be uploaded as two separate documents

*If you are a mentor teacher and are submitting for 5 or more ELLs and would like a more streamlined submission process, please contact In the ESOL Classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.

*Please ensure you are following your school district’s guidelines regarding entering students into competitions via mentor teacher. Should you or your school district have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact In the ESOL Classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.

Awards

Cash: First-place winners in each category are awarded a prize of $250; second-place winners receive $150; and third-place winners receive $100.

Prestige: Winning entries will be published on In the ESOL Classroom’s website.

Certificate: All winners will receive a certificate.

Honorable Mention: Honorable mentions will not receive any cash prizes, but they will receive a certificate and will be invited to have their work published on In the ESOL Classroom’s website.

Mentor teachers will be contacted in January if their student has won. Teachers must respond within 7 days before the prize is offered to another student.

Scoring Rubric

This writing contest will be judged by three judges: Mishelle Kehoe-Seamons, founder of In the ESOL Classroom, Judge 2 (TBD), and Judge 3 (TBD). Each submission will be rated by all three judges. The three scores will be averaged. All decisions made by the judges will be final.

The scoring rubrics can be found and printed here:

Category 1 Rubric: Judged on Content and Mechanics

Category 2 Rubric: Judged on Content Only

Frequently Asked Questions

I have been asked to be a mentor teacher. What are my responsibilities?

• Work with your ELL to answer the prompt: “Who am I?” Read what they want to submit, help or facilitate editing, and give them feedback and advice. (Note: Students submitting to Category 2: Judged on Content Only are being judged purely on content. Please do not make suggestions or edit anything related to grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.)
• Submit your ELL’s work via this website’s “Submit your student’s writing” button. If you are submitting for 5 or more ELLs and would like a more streamlined submission process, please contact In the ESOL classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.
• If your student wins, you will be contacted in January via email. In the ESOL Classroom will work with you to contact the student’s parent or guardian so they can sign a consent form to allow their student’s work to be published and to accept the cash prize. You will have 7 days to respond to the email before the prize is offered to another student.

My student hardly knows any English. Can they still participate?

• Absolutely! This writing contest is for all ELLs in 7th-12th grade, regardless of their proficiency level! In the ESOL Classroom would probably recommend having this student submit their work to Category 2: Judged on Content Only. This category is proficiency-level friendly as it only judges based on their content. Please note that for this category, students must submit their essay in both English and their native language. Note: Students submitting to Category 2: Judged on Content Only are being judged purely on content. As you assist and guide them, please do not make suggestions or edit anything related to grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.

I am an ESOL teacher and have many students. Can I be the mentor teacher for all of them?

• Yes! In fact, this writing contest was made with ESOL teachers in mind. Whether you have 3 students or 300 students, you can be their mentor teacher! If you are submitting on behalf of more than 5 ELLs and would like a more streamlined submission process, please contact In the ESOL classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.

Can I use this writing contest as a class assignment?

• Absolutely! Please keep in mind the difference between the two categories students can submit to as this may inform the way you implement the contest into your lesson plans.

Why did In the ESOL Classroom create this writing contest?

• In the ESOL Classroom wanted to provide an opportunity for all English language learners to:
  1. Find and share their voice
  2. Explore their unique identities
  3. Build their confidence
  4. Practice and enhance their English language skills
  5. Have something they can add to their job or college application

Do parents or guardians need to sign anything to allow students to enter the competition?

• Because all submissions and communication will be through a mentor teacher, and In the ESOL classroom does not collect any sensitive information, ELLs are not required to have a parent or guardian permission form.
• We recommend that all mentor teachers ensure they are following their school district’s guidelines regarding entering students into competitions via mentor teacher. Should you or your school district have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact In the ESOL Classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.
• With the help of mentor teachers, the parents or guardians of winners will be contacted and asked to sign a consent form to allow their student’s work to be published and to accept the cash prize.

My student wants to enter a submission into both categories. Is that allowed?

• Unfortunately, this competition only allows one entry total per student. They must choose whether they want to submit their essay to Category 1: Judged on Content and Mechanics or Category 2: Judged on Content Only. We suggest looking at both the submission requirements and the rubrics to decide which category might be a better fit.

Do you accept late submissions?

• No, late submissions will not be accepted. All entries must be submitted by November 14, 2025 at 11:59 MST.

My ELL is undocumented. Can they still participate?

• Absolutely! This writing contest is for all ELLs in 7th-12th grade, regardless of their immigration status.

My ELL is submitting to Category 2: Judged on Content Only. Will they be graded on their submission in their native language?

• Only the English copy will be judged for students submitting to Category 2: Judged on Content Only. The purpose of having them submit in their native language is so they feel they can accurately represent themselves and to potentially help in the brainstorming and writing process. Both the English and native language copies will be published on In the ESOL Classroom’s website for the winners of Category 2: Judged on Content Only.

My ELL is submitting to Category 1: Judged on Content and Mechanics. They want to also submit their writing in their native language. Is that okay?

• Yes! Although it is not required for students to submit a copy of their essay in their native language if they’re entering their writing into Category 1: Judged on Content and Mechanics, they are welcome to do so. The copy in their native language will not be judged, but if they win, both their English and native language copy will be published on In the ESOL Classroom’s website. Please upload the English and native language essays as two separate files.

My ELL is submitting to Category 2: Judged on Content Only. Are they required to also submit a copy of their essay in their native language?

• Yes, students participating in Category 2: Judged on Content Only must submit their essay in both English and their native language. Remember, only the English essay will be judged, and it will only be judged based on the content.

My supervisor wants me to get permission from parents before submitting on behalf of their student. Are there any permission forms I can use?

• ELLs are not required to have a parent or guardian permission slip for this writing contest. If your school district would like one, In the ESOL Classroom invites you to develop and distribute one based on the standards set by your district.

Is there an entry fee for this contest?

• We want this writing contest to be accessible for all English language learners; therefore, there is no entry fee. Prizes have been made possible by generous donors.

Can I donate to In the ESOL Classroom so that this writing contest can be done again?

• This writing contest was made possible by generous donors. All donations went directly to student awards. If you are interested in donating, please contact In the ESOL Classroom at writingcontest@intheESOLclassroom.com.

Is the word count absolute?

• Yes, the word count is strict (350-600 words); however, the word count does not include the cover page.

My school is outside the US, can I still enter?

• This contest is only for 7th-12th grade ELLs attending school in any of the 50 states, Washington D.C., or any U.S. territory.

Who can my mentor teacher be?

• Your mentor teacher should be someone you know and who is willing to help guide you through the submission process. You don’t have to have taken a class with your mentor teacher, but they should know you and have worked with you in some capacity previously.

I’m an international student. Can I apply?

• If you are currently receiving ESOL services, are identified as an ELL according to your state and school standards, and will be in the United States until February, you may enter the contest.

What information does In the ESOL Classroom ask for regarding ELLs?

• In order to submit, ELLs must share their first name only, their grade level, and the city and state they currently live in. We ask for minimal data in an effort to protect students.