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“Das Gibt Es Nur in TEXAS”
HOUSTONFEST * SPRACHFEST * WINTERFEST
WHO is involved in the Texas State German Contests?
Over 1500 students from more than 90 schools compete every year in the Texas State German Contest and its regional “feeder” contests. This makes the Texas system of German contests the largest in the nation and the only one of its kind. Every Texas teacher who has students of German in the 8th through 12th grade is invited to enter as many students as he/she would like in one of the three regional contests.
WHAT exactly are these contests?
Three regional contests are held simultaneously each year:
Houstonfest for the greater Houston area,
Sprachfest for Central and South Texas,
Winterfest for the Dallas and North Texas area.
Each regional offers competition in 33 events encompassing speaking, language mechanics, music, drama, and visual arts (see list on reverse). Many events have separate categories for Levels I, II, III, and IV so that students can compete on an even playing field. There are also several events for “advantaged” speakers of German (those who have lived for a substantial period in a German-speaking country). A registration fee of only $10 per student allows a student to compete in as many events as he/she can physically squeeze into one day. Students who place in the top five a regional contest receive trophies or ribbons and advance to the Texas State German Contest.
At State, the top five winners in each event are recognized at an awards ceremony, and those in 6th through 10th place receive ribbons. Schools also compete, both at regional and at state, for sweepstakes honors in either the large-school (5A) or the small-school (4A and down) division. At both levels, events are judged by teachers as well as college students, professors, and other members of the German-speaking community. Monetary scholarships are offered for German-Texan research papers and for the five top individual competitors.
WHEN are the contests held?
The Regional Contests (Houstonfest, Sprachfest, Winterfest)
is held on the first Saturday of February. For 2009, that date
will be Feb.7, 2009
The Texas State German Contest
is held on the last Saturday in February. For 2009 it will be
at UT, Austin, on February 28, 2009.
WHERE are the contests traditionally held?
Houstonfest: Lanier Middle School, Houston Feb.7, 2009
Sprachfest: University of Texas at San Antonio Feb.7, 2009
Winterfest: Plano Sr. High School Feb.7, 2009
Texas State German Contest: University Of Texas, Austin February 28, 2009.
WHY should I bring my students?
We all know that students love to compete, but German contests are not just competition for its own sake. As students prepare their artwork, poetry, skits, and so on, they strengthen and deepen the language skills and cultural knowledge that they acquire in your class. The contest experience will also promote bonding among your students and build loyalty to your German program. And ask any teacher who has attended a German contest can tell you: the kids do have FUN!
HOW do I get involved?
Visit the website of the nearest
regional contest or contact the regional director by e-mail. Then register your students by the January deadline
and show up to compete in February. We’re
always thrilled to have new schools join us.
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EVENTS at Regional and State German Contests
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Oral Tests (scored by judges) Directed Dialogue (Levels I and
II) Sight Extemporaneous Speaking (Levels
III and IV) |
Written Tests (multiple-choice, except Spelling) Culture (Levels I, II, III, and
IV) Grammar (Levels I, II, III, and
IV) Listening Comprehension (Levels
I, II, III, and IV) Reading Comprehension (Levels I,
II, III, and IV) Spelling (Levels I, II, III, and
IV) Vocabulary (Levels I, II, III,
and IV) |
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Declamation Poetry Poetry Memory (Levels I, II, III,
and IV and a separate category for Advantaged Speakers) Prose Prose Memory (Levels I, II, III,
and IV and a separate category for Advantaged Speakers) |
Drama Duet Acting (Levels I, II, III,
and IV) Skit (Levels I, II, III, and IV;
Advantaged Speakers may participate at Levels III or IV) Puppet Show (Lower Level [I and
II], Upper Level [III and up]; Advantaged Speakers may participate
in Upper Level) Play (Upper Level, might not be
judged at regional level – ask the director; Advantaged Speakers may
participate) |
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Music (everyone competes together, i.e., no level distinctions;
Advantaged Speakers may compete) Chorus Vocal Solo Classical Instrumental Ensemble Polka Band Folk Dance |
Arts (everyone competes together, i.e., no level distinctions;
Advantaged Speakers may compete) Doll Costume German Club Album (Scrapbook) Gingerbread House (Two categories: Traditional and Non-Traditional) Needlework Photo Essay Poster Design T-Shirt Design Video (two categories: Documentary
and Original Screenplay) |
Other
Scavenger Hunt (one team per school; no level distinctions; no Advantaged Speakers)
Research Paper (written in English; everyone competes together, i.e., no level distinctions)
Pass auf! (Novice Level and Varsity Level;
no Advantaged Speakers)
Note: Pass auf!
is a team event with a quiz-show format (buzzers,
questions on grammar, geography, culture, politics, etc, of all the German Speaking Countries.)
More detailed descriptions of each
event can be found on the regional websites. see
above
Updated May 14, 2008