Academic Competitions

Zuhören

A multiple choice listening comprehensions test.  Bring a number two pencil.

Lesen

A multiple choice reading comprehension test.  You need a number two pencil.

Geographie

Multiple choice geography questions.  Bring your number two writing buddy.

Grammatik

A multiple choice grammar test.  You know what to bring!

A multiple choice general knowledge test in English. Bring a number two pencil.

A multiple choice general knowledge test in German. Bring a number two pencil.

Deklamation

Poem or prose reading to be read aloud in German.  A copy of each reading must be given to each judge.  Selection must be at least 20 lines.  Maximum reading time is four minutes.  The entrant may not use the same poem for Declamation and Declamation Memory.  The judging criteria are as follows:

Pronunciation:  60%                     Ability to be heard:  10%

Delivery of Lines:  20%               Audience eye contact:  10%

Declamation Memory

Poem or prose to be memorized and delivered in German.  The contestant may use a chair as a prop and may move during the presentation.  (20 line minimum for levels III and advanced)  Must submit a copy to each judge.  The entrant may not use the same piece for Declamation and Declamation Memory.  The judging criteria are as follows:

Pronunciation:  50%                         Memorization:  20%

Delivery of Lines:  20%                   Interpretation:  10%

Directed

Dialog

Students must answer selected questions given by the judge.  Topics will be level appropriate.  For levels one and two only.  The judging criteria are as follows:

Appropriateness of Response:  20%      Mechanics:  20%

Use of vocabulary:  20%                        Delivery:  20%

Pronunciation:  20%

Buchstabieren

Oral spelling bee using German alphabet to run as follows:  Words will be pronounced, used in a sentence, then pronounced again.  Nouns may be capitalized as follows:  Grosses S…; “ß” may be pronounced “scharfes S”, “ess-tset”, or “ss”.  Contestants may ask for a definition in English.  No correcting or re-spelling will be allowed.  Misspelled words will pass to the next contestant.  All participants must remain in the room until a winner has been determined.  The winner must spell two consecutive words correctly.

Wortschatz

Participants must give the English equivalent for German vocabulary words.  A similar format to the spelling format will be followed.

Diktat

Contestants will write a paragraph as it is read aloud by the judge.  Selection will be read first at normal speed, then in phrases, and last at normal speed again.

Nacherzählung

This is a written essay for level III and advanced.  A short story will be read twice.  The contestant then has ten minutes to rewrite it.  No dictionaries are allowed.

Sight Reading

Students will read prose, which they have not seen before.  Students will be assigned a number denoting order.  When their turn arrives, they will be able to look at the prose for only sixty seconds before reading it for the judges.  Time limit per entry is exactly two minutes, no more, no less.  Contestants must remain in the room after the reading.  This contest will be held in one-hour blocks and must be pre-registered in the morning at the competition table.  Note:  Middle school will have its own level.  The judging criteria are as follows: 

Pronunciation:  60%                      Ability to be Heard:  10%

Delivery of Lines:  20%                Audience eye Contact:  10%

Impromptu Speaking

The topic will pertain to every day life.  Contestants will have NO TIME for preparation after receiving topic.  No notes may be used in the speech and it should be NO MORE THAN two minutes in length.  This contest will be held in one-hour blocks and must be pre-registered in the morning at the competition table.  Note:  Middle school will have its own level.  The judging criteria are as follows:

Content/Use of Vocabulary:  60%     Delivery of Lines:  10%

Communication:  20%                       Ability to be Heard:  10%

Skits/Talent competitions

Skits and Talent will be judged as separate categories.  The criteria for the two will be the same.  The time limit is four to six minutes.  Each of the judges must be given a copy of the skit.  A description is also recommended.  Skits/Talent entries must be pre-registered by the convention registration deadline in order to be assigned a performance time.  Students must be ready to perform at their assigned times.  Note:  All talent entries MUST have a separate copy of the music for the judge.  If the judge cannot look at the music during the song, the entrant will be disqualified.  The judging criteria for skits are as follows:

Pronunciation:  50%                           Delivery of Lines:  15%

Memorization:  20%                           Ability to be Heard:  10%

Acting/Props:  5%

The judging criteria for talent are as follows:

Delivery/Pronunciation:  40%         Cultural Representation:  10%

General Effect:  30%                       Difficulty:  20%

Video

Video is on any subject, ten minutes or less and in German.  Creativity is important.  This is a pre-judged competition, so all entries must be mailed along with the school’s registration by the postmark date mentioned on the registration form.  Please include a script.  Judging criteria are as follows:

Creativity:  40%                          Pronunciation:  40%

Level of Difficulty:  10%            Acting:  10%