Koala English Olympiad (KEO)
Proudly Australian | Open to the World - Reading, Spelling, Writing
Introduction
The Koala English Olympiad (KEO) is a premier international competition designed to inspire young learners from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to master English language skills. Rooted in Australia’s rich educational tradition, this Olympiad encourages creativity, critical thinking, and linguistic excellence. The KEO competition assesses the three abilities of reading, spelling, and writing through a comprehensive platform that not only combines simple knowledge tests but also encourages students to move from basics to higher-level, more creative, and structured English writing and application. Through engaging and challenging rounds, students develop their linguistic abilities while celebrating the joy of language. Open to students worldwide, the Olympiad can be participated in either online or on paper, as arranged by participating schools or organizing bodies.
About the KEO English Program Team
Mr. Nick Strong and Mr. Patrick Murray are dedicated English educators who share a passion for language learning and cultural exchange.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Nick has many years of teaching experience and has been actively involved in English education across Australia. Patrick, an Australian native, specialises in practical English teaching and cross-cultural communication.
Together, they collaborate with Miss Man International Education, founded by Miss Man, who also graduated in Australia. The team works to promote high-quality English learning opportunities and to inspire students to build global perspectives through the KEO English Program.
About Miss Man
Miss Man is the Founder of Miss Man International Education, an organization committed to supporting students in pursuing their international study goals. She graduated in Melbourne, Australia, where her passion for education and cultural exchange first began.
Before founding her own education institution, Miss Man worked with IDP IELTS, gaining valuable experience in English language assessment and international education services. Her background in both education and student support has shaped her mission to guide learners in building confidence.
Through Miss Man International Education, she continues to connect students with overseas learning opportunities and collaborative programs such as the KEO English Program, ADEPT Olympiad, fostering global understanding through education.
Key Benefits
Skill Development
- Boosts spelling accuracy, reading comprehension, and writing fluency
- Teaches structured writing (introductions, conclusions, thesis statements)
Confidence & Creativity
- Opportunity to perform in spelling bees
- Showcase original writing and stories
Competition Format
Mode:
- Online (secure virtual platform)
- Paper-based (under supervision at registered schools/centers)
Competition Tiers:
- Preliminary Heat Round
- International Final Round
Participation:
- Open to students from Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Individual and group/team registrations available
- Homeschoolers are welcome
Paper Structure
The competition consists of three parts:
All three sections are included in the same exam paper.
.
Primary-to-Secondary Transition:
- For primary school students, the content includes modified MC topics.
- For secondary school students, the writing tasks are extended to more complex topics, enabling progression and skill enhancement.
Competition Structure
Preliminary Heat Round
- Focus: Reading, Writing & Spelling
- Format: Online or Paper
- Reading Comprehension
- Age-appropriate passages (fiction and nonfiction)
- Multiple-choice (MC)
- Assessment of understanding, vocabulary in context, and inference skills
- Creative Writing Task
- Narrative, descriptive, or persuasive prompts
- Prompts often inspired by Australian wildlife, culture, or landmarks
- Assessment criteria: originality, structure, grammar, vocabulary, and creativity
- Spelling Bee
- Words: Test basic, phonetically regular words that follow simple patterns (e.g., cat, sun, pen, hop)
- Also include a few very common sight words (e.g., the, and, is).
Advancement:
- Top performers in each grade category advance to the International Final Round
International Final Round
- Focus: Reading & Writing
- Format: Online or Paper
● Reading Comprehension:
- More challenging and analytical passages
- Questions may include the main idea, details, inference, and the author’s purpose
● Creative Writing Task:
- Narrative, descriptive, or persuasive prompts
- Prompts often inspired by Australian wildlife, culture, or landmarks
- Assessment criteria: originality, structure, grammar, vocabulary, and creativity
● Spelling Bee:
- Advanced oral and written spelling challenges
- Includes Australian, British, and global English vocabulary
- Finalists may spell words in real-time or provide written responses
Summary Table
| Feature | Preliminary Heat Round | Final International Round |
|---|---|---|
Reading |
Short passages, direct questions. |
Longer passages, simple inference questions. |
Spelling |
Basic CVC words, common sight words. |
Words with blends, digraphs, silent ‘e’, tricky sight words. |
Writing |
Simple fill-in-the-blank sentences. |
Longer close story with more nuanced vocabulary choices. |
Overall Goal |
Assess foundational knowledge. |
Assess deeper application and understanding. |
Grade Levels and CEFR Alignment
| Grade | Time & number of questions | CEFR Level | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
Kindergarten – Grade 2 |
45 mins (25 questions) |
Pre-A1–A1 |
Phonics, sight words, simple sentences |
Grades 3 – 4 |
45 mins (25 questions) |
A2 |
Paragraphs, spelling rules, storytelling |
Grades 5–6 |
45 mins (25 questions) |
B1 |
Essay writing, literary devices |
Grades 7–9 |
60 mins (25 questions) |
B2 |
Advanced vocabulary, rhetorical analysis |
Grades 10–12 |
60 mins (25 questions) |
C1–C2 |
Academic writing, research synthesis |
Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, Cambridge English, and CEFR standards.
(Noted: One writing will be in KEO E and KEO F)
KEO Category and Grade level
| KEO Category | Grade Level |
|---|---|
KEO A |
Kindergarten, Grade 1 – 2 |
KEO B |
Grade 3 – 4 |
KEO C |
Grade 5 – 6 |
KEO D |
Grade 7 – 8 |
KEO E |
Grade 9 – 10 |
KEO F |
Grade 11 – 12 |
Scoring, Awards and Recognition
Preliminary Heat Round and International Final Round:
50%
Reading Comprehension
25%
Spelling
25%
Writing
KEO Preliminary Heat Round Round Awards
This table outlines the awards for all participants based on their performance in the National Round.
| Award Title | Requirement | Prize / Recognition | Cash / Scholarship Award | Qualifies for Final Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Perfect Score Award – Koala Outback Star |
The highest score |
Certificate of Perfect Score |
AUS$200 Bonus Prize |
Yes |
Gold Award |
Score ≥ 90 |
Certificate of Excellence |
None |
Yes |
Silver Award |
Score ≥ 85 |
Certificate of High Distinction (Silver) |
None |
Yes |
Bronze Award |
Score ≥ 80 |
Certificate of Distinction (Bronze) |
None |
Yes |
Honorable Mention |
Score of 70 – 79.9 |
Certificate of Honorable Mention |
None |
No |
Certificate of Merit |
Score of 60 – 69.9 |
Certificate of Merit |
None |
No |
Certificate of Participation |
All other participants |
Digital Certificate of Participation |
None |
No |
KEO International Final Round Awards
This table outlines the exclusive awards for the finalists who compete in the Final Round.
| Award Title | Requirement | Prize / Recognition | Cash / Scholarship Award |
|---|---|---|---|
Golden Koala Champion |
Rank #1 in the Final Round |
Grand Trophy + Certificate of National Champion |
Education Gift |
2nd Place Winner |
Rank #2 in the Final Round |
Trophy + Certificate of National 2nd Place |
Education Gift |
3rd Place Winner |
Rank #3 in the Final Round |
Trophy + Certificate of National 3rd Place |
Education Gift |
Perfect Score Bonus |
Score of 100/100 in the Final Round |
Special Plaque (Awarded in addition to any other prize) |
Education Gift |
Gold Award |
Score ≥ 95 |
Gold Medal + Certificate of Finalist Excellence |
None |
Silver Award |
Score ≥ 90 |
Silver Medal + Certificate of Finalist High Distinction |
None |
Bronze Award |
Score ≥ 85 |
Bronze Medal + Certificate of Finalist Distinction |
None |
National Finalist |
All other finalists |
Certificate of National Finalist |
None |
Technical and Logistical Notes
Spelling Word List and Sample Papers
Coming soon
Timeline
- Registration Opens: Now until January 2026
- Preliminary Heat Round: 17/1 /2026 to 8/2/2026
- International Final Round: July 2026
- Awards Ceremony: July 2026 (virtual or in-person)
How to Register
- Register individually or as a school/group at Coming soon
- For paper-based participation, schools should contact the organizing committee to arrange test materials and supervision
- Registration fees and deadlines available on the website
Contact and Support
Koala English Olympiad (KEO)
Australian phone: +61 415 257 812
Email address: keo@koalaolympiad.com
Australia Address: 459 Elizabeth Street,S urry Hills, Sydney, NSW 2010
Website: koalaolympiad.com
Facebook 
:Coming soon
