POETRY I:
French and Spanish second-year students. Poetry selections in each of the language are enclosed. Uniformity, we think, will facilitate the evaluation process for the judges. Costumes may be used. Contestants may demonstrate comprehension through facial expression and use of gestures. Contestant are evaluated on pronunciation, intonation, and memorization. No more than TWO individuals from the same school.
POETRY II:
Recommended for French and Spanish third- and fourth-year students. Same rules as above for Poetry I.
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING:
Recommended French and Spanish third- and fourth-year students. Exceptional Spanish second-year students may also be entered. Students who are native speakers, or whose parents are native speakers, or who have spent more than six weeks in the country of the target language during the previous year, are not permitted to participate in Extemporaneous Speaking. Students will choose from a limited number of topics (see below) and will be allowed two minutes to prepare the assigned topic. A contestant may not use a dictionary during the given preparation time. The time limit for delivery will be three minutes. The contestant will be evaluated on accuracy of information, amount of information related, fluency of speech, naturalness, style and clarity of expression. No more than TWO contestants in each language from the same school.
Sample Topics:
Speak for 3 minutes on a topic of the judges’ choice.
Describe a magazine picture, comic strip, slide, painting, or object shown.
Tell how you plan to spend your vacation.
CULTURAL BEE – French and Spanish:
There is no level of designation; however, there is a limit of three students per school for French and a limit of two students per school for Spanish. The contests will be conducted at least partially in the respective languages. In all three languages, the question will be drawn from several areas such as history, geography, literature, music, entertainment, pop culture, etc. The format this year is as follows: Students will be seated in a grid pattern which is duplicated on the scoring sheet/blackboard. Starting at one corner of the grid, the student will try to answer the question in 10 seconds. If he/she answers the question correctly, he/she will get a scoring mark on the scoring sheet/blackboard, and the next question is asked of the next student. If the student fails to answer the question correctly, the next student on the grid has 5 more seconds to answer that question, and then the next and so on until one answers the question correctly. Only correct answers get scoring marks.
Sample Questions:
Name the capital of Cuba.
What happened on July 14, 1789?
Who was Federico García Lorca?
SKITS:
French and Spanish students of all levels. Each group is allowed a maximum of ten minutes stage time (includes setting up and removing any props as well as performance). One group per language from the same school. All materials must be memorized - penalties for use of notes. There are no limits on costumes or special effects. Except for tables and chairs, no other props will be provided by the college. The performance will be scored for its originality, language usage and other criteria.
SINGING:
French and Spanish students of all levels. As for the singing, each group is allowed a maximum of ten minutes stage time (includes setting up and removing props, as well as performance). One group per contest from the same school. Minimum group size is three students. Judges are instructed to focus on the entire ensemble. We emphasize that soloists or small groups should not be used as lead singers. All materials must be memorized; no lip-syncing is allowed and will result in disqualification. There are no limits on costumes and special effects; however, all props, with the exception of tables and chairs, must be furnished by the contestants. Groups are invited to repeat their performances in Monroe Auditorium (sign-up is available till the start of the Awards Ceremony at 1:00PM).
