The Competition was created and coordinated by Izabela Agnieszka Kańkowska-Wielgosz and Ewelina Ziembińska: a dream team. Ewelina Ziembińska also created the written test and selected the texts for the oral part. The competition was documented by Paweł Łęcki who took all the photographs.

The competition was aimed at secondary school pupils (B2+/C1) and was held at II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Bolesława Chrobrego in Sopot with cooperation of the University of Gdańsk, Poland.

The competition consisted of a written test and oral presentations. The 28 competitors, who represented their individual schools from the region, took part in the competition in pairs.

Altogether there were 14 pairs of students competing in the contest

First they took the test which focused on grammar and vocabulary.

Then after a break with delicious refreshments provided by the organisers, the competitors received a set of texts in Polish selected from a variety of Polish newspapers and magazines.

You can see the texts in attachment below.

The candidates worked in pairs and had 50 minutes to prepare a spoken news bulletin presenting at least two of the items in English. They were not allowed to use any dictionaries or online resources.

The skills the oral part of the exam required from the candidates were in tune with linguistic mediation according to CEFR. The candidates mediated between languages, between skills: from receptive to productive, mediated between genres from written to spoken journalism, and finally engaged in interpersonal mediation during teamwork when preparing their presentations and interacted with their audience.

The competitors were presenting their news bulletin in pairs and the other competitors, the jury, the organisers and the competitors’ English language teachers were the audience.

The jury looked at the content of the presentations, vocabulary range and language accuracy, pronunciation, impact and contact with the audience. Each member of the jury could award maximum 15 points)

The presentations were really impressive when it came to the candidates’ command of English. However, some presenters would have benefitted more from some more preparation on voice projection, presentation skills, and even drama skills.

The team’s scores were calculated in the following way: the combined written test results and the scores from the three members of the jury.

The winners were the team form III Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Marynarki Wojennej in Gdynia. GONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Congratulations to the organisers for coming up with such an innovative idea of a language contest and perfect organization.  Good luck with the next issues of the competition.

 

Please check the Methodology and Language for Secondary course at Pilgrims website.

Please check the Teaching Advanced Students course at Pilgrims website.

Please check the 21st Century Thinking Skills course at Pilgrims website.

Please check the Mediation in the Classroom course at Pilgrims website.