2012 THEME: Foreign Languages: Our Global Lens
Premise
In the state of Massachusetts, students need to demonstrate the ability to use technology for the purpose of communication, collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Consequently, through the use of a variety of media formats students develop technology skills that enable them to communicate effectively, to multiple audiences, a variety of information and ideas to satisfy both foreign language and technology standards.
Summary
Podcasting is a method of communication that is more and more used and it allows anyone to create video files and post them to the Internet for others to download and listen to/view at any time. MaFLA is pleased to offer again in 2012 an exciting opportunity for all students in the public and private school in Massachusetts to participate in a video contest.
Contest Specifics, Categories, and Prizes
All foreign language teachers of Massachusetts are invited to get their students involved in celebrating the 2012 theme “Foreign Languages: Our Global Lens.”
In a one-minute video podcast, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate in English or a foreign language how they understand and interpret the current theme of the year in order to raise awareness of the role that foreign languages play nationally and internationally.
Students may be entered in one of four specific categories corresponding to their grade level.
Category 1: Elementary School – Students in pre-K through grade 5
Category 2: Middle School – Students in grades 6-8
Category 3: High School – Students in grades 9-12
In order to enter the contest teachers who are members in good standing with MaFLA can mail only one entry per category of the audio/video podcast and mail it to Adina Alexandru, Contest Chair. Only the first 15 entries will be considered in each category.
List of suggested activities for all four categories:
- *a speech/soliloquy/address
- *a poem
- *a song (raps included)
- *an advertisement
- *a public service announcement
- *a skit
- *other
The contest will take place during the Foreign Language Week in March 2012. It will begin on March 1, 2012. The podcast submission deadline is March 15, 2012 or until the first 15 entries are received in each category, whichever comes first.
A MaFLA committee will select one winner in each of the four categories. The prize for the winner in each category will be $50 awarded to the student creator of the audio/video podcast (to be split if there are 2 students). The podcasts of the winners, and the two runners-up from each category may be showcased in an area of the MaFLA website.
Submission Guidelines – Submissions that do not meet these guidelines will not be considered.
- Participation is limited to students attending public or private schools who are enrolled in a Pre-K – 12 foreign language class at the time of submission.
- The total podcast length is not to exceed 1 minute in English/foreign language.
- A maximum of 2 students can perform on one podcast entry.
- Participating teachers need to fill out and mail the Contest Entry Form to the contest chair Adina Alexandru.
Contact: Adina Alexandru Podcast Contest Entry form
Deadline for submissions is March 15
