From Boris Becker to Claudia Schiffer

Sunday 24 April 2005

The University of St Andrews will host its third German recitation contest for school children from all over Scotland, following the successful running of the competition since its launch in 2003.

The Department of German launched the initiative two years ago with the help of Scotland’s best-known German, the then national football team manager Berti Vogts. It is part of a series of initiatives run by the Department to increase interest in the German language amongst Scottish school pupils.

The competition aims to counter the decline in the study of foreign languages at secondary school level, following their removal from the post-14 compulsory core curriculum.

The Annual German Competition for Schools in Scotland will be held in St Andrews on the 14th of June 2005. Keen German speakers can still enter – the deadline for entry is 30 April 2005.

Cash prizes of up to £100, books and consolation prizes will be up for grabs and all participants will receive a certificate. Last year, additional prizes were provided by German Formula One racers, Michael and Ralf Schumacher and golfing great, Bernhard Langer. The theme continues this year with goodies provided by other famous Germans from the World of sport and modelling – tennis champion Boris Becker and supermodel Claudia Schiffer have supplied signed photos, as has Bernhard Langer.

The competition for ‘poetry, prose and role-play’ is aimed at pupils studying German at all levels. The afternoon event will involve a series of readings, recitations and role- playing in which performers will be judged on pronunciation, fluency, expressiveness, acting skills and originality.

Annette Zimmermann, a Senior Language Tutor at the University is organiser of the event. She said:

“If the last two years are anything to go by, we should be in for a treat again at this year’s competition: The students’ language skills and their level of commitment to very high standards was extremely impressive. We are very much looking forward to welcoming teachers and students again in June and we hope that many schools will seize the opportunity for their children to shine!”

The German Consul General and representatives from the Swiss Embassy and the Goethe Institute will award the winning prizes on the day. Schools from all over Scotland are invited to participate in the event.

Sponsors for the day include Duden Verlagshaus, German Consulate General Edinburgh, Goethe Institute Glasgow, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, Präsenz Schweiz (PRS) and the Swiss Embassy in London.

Interested schools should contact Annette Zimmermann at the Department of German for further information and entry forms. Telephone: 01334 463664 or 463656; email: [email protected]. The deadline for entering the competition is 30 April 2005.

ENDS

Issued by Beattie Media

On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: German comp 220405.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk


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