How do learners enter The National English Olympiad?

Entries are only accepted through schools. The Call for Entries with details and information on the Olympiad, and the Entry Form can be downloaded from the Homepage on this website.

Schools may choose to enter their candidates in the Home Language paper, or the First Additional Language (FAL) paper. FAL entries are permitted provided the candidates are registered for FAL as a Matric subject – please indicate which paper each candidate is entering clearly on the Entry Form.

As the examination is based on an open-book system, every candidate will be provided with a copy of the Anthology and a Study Guide. While this adds to the cost of entering the Olympiad, an open-book examination enables more creative answers. The organisers of the English Olympiad cannot permit the use of photocopies. It is illegal in terms of copyright laws.

The competition is open to ALL learners who will be in Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the year of their application.

Applications typically open in July and close in September. The exam is written in the following March or April depending on the School Calendar.

Call for Entries

The Call for Entries for the 2025 English Olympiad will open on 1 July 2024
Entry is open to all learners who will be in Grades 9 to 12 in 2025,
i.e those learners who are in Grades 8 to 11 in 2024

Entries will close on 30 September 2024

Entry Fees

Entry fees are payable upon application at R120 per entry. The entry fee covers the administrative costs of the Olympiad, and the cost of the Anthology and Study Guide, examination materials, assessments and certificates.

Teachers may purchase separate copies of the anthology and study guide for R20 per set.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 30 September 2024

Please note that entering earlier will benefit your candidates as they will receive their texts earlier and have more time to prepare.

Proof of payment needs to be received by the Olympiad Officer, with your entry form, before the entry closing date. Entries will not be processed without a proof of payment.

Payment Details

Account Name: English Olympiad
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Grahamstown
Branch code: 050917
Account number: 081 975 988

**Please use “EO-Your School’s Name” as a payment reference 

First Additional Language (FAL) Candidates

The FAL Olympiad exam paper will be based on the same anthology and theme as the Home Language paper, and will require just as much preparation for the examination as the Home Language paper, however, the FAL paper will differ from the Home Language paper in that there will be fewer question choices and simpler language may be used in some of the exam questions. It is by no means an easier paper but it is a more truncated one that is better suited to English First Additional Language learners.

Condition applied to First Additional Language Entries: To be eligible to write the FAL examination paper, candidates must be registered at their school for English First Additional Language as a Matric subject.

English Olympiad Sponsorship (EOS)

There are a limited number of partial bursaries for students who cannot afford the entry fees. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to engage with the English language via a set theme. If your candidates are not able to afford the entry fee, please ask them each to write:

  • A short letter of application saying why they would like to write the exam, stating how they plan to prepare for the examination and their signature to confirm that they will write the examination on the day.
  • The principal of the school also needs to write a supporting letter to endorse the candidates’ bursary applications (this can be for a moderate group of candidates). Because there are a limited number of bursaries available, they will be awarded on merit, and on a first come, first served basis.
  • Successful bursary applicants will pay a reduced fee of R60.00. Please do not send through payment until the Olympiad Officer has confirmed approval of your bursary applications.

Please send applications to the Olympiad Officer via fax: 086 262 6048, or email: olympiad@foundation.org.za, or phone: 046 603 1145 for more information.