German greats support university initiative

Germany’s most famous exports from the worlds of sport and modelling are lending their support to an initiative aimed at promoting the German language to school children in Scotland.

The annual event, organised by the Department of German at the University of St Andrews, 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 13th of June 2006. Supermodel Claudia Schiffer, tennis champion Boris Becker, Formula One racer Michael Schumacher and golfing legend Bernhard Langer have donated prizes for the competition, which is in its fourth year. The initiative has gathered the support of such famous names over the years since its launch in 2003 by Berti Vogts, who was Scotland’s national football team manager at the time.

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:

“We are delighted that our German competition has been so well received by schools in Scotland over the past few years. The level of language competence we have seen each year has been extremely impressive. There is no doubt that both teachers and pupils work tremendously hard to achieve such a high linguistic standard in German and it is a pleasure for the Department to be providing a platform for schools to shine and show off their skills.”

Cash prizes of up to £100, books and consolation prizes will be up for grabs and all participants will receive a certificate. Other attractive prizes up for grabs are autographs and signed photographs from the famous German supporters.

Representatives of the Goethe- Institute Glasgow, the Swiss Embassy and the German Consulate will be in St Andrews on the day to award prizes.

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 2006.

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 060406.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk