Festival Categories and Rules

Rules for Participation:
→ Rule Clarifications
→ Teacher Eligibility
→ Student Eligibility
→ Regional Festivals
→ State Festival
→ Audience
→ Judging
→ Awards
 Categories:
→ Oral Competitions
→ Listening Proficiency
→ Grammar/Vocabulary
→ Latin Categories
→ Construction Models
→ Origami
→ Realia
→ Video
→ Games
→ Costumes
→ Chorus
→ Folk Dancing

RULE CLARIFICATIONS

1) If there is no regional festival in your region you may come directly to state. You must, however, limit the number of your entries to the same number that would be allowed to compete at a regional festival.

2) During the extemporaneous prose competition, students will be give one minute to prepare by reading over the text to themselves. They will only have one minute.

3) Please remember that the festivals are intended to first and foremost highlight student work and achievement. Let's keep the competition friendly and positive. We want as many students as possible from as many different backgrounds as possible to compete and come away with a positive experience.

4) The Jefferson County Public Schools Festival will not be offering the Grammar Vocabulary Test for 2007 and is instead piloting two new proficiency oriented tests: a) Reading Proficiency and b) Writing Proficiency. Other regional festivals interested in participating in the pilot should contact the Jefferson County Regional Festival Director

5) There has been some concern that not all regional festivals offer the exact same competitions. We want everyone to know that the regional festival function relatively autonomously and many cannot accommodate either certain categories or levels of competition. If you are interested in starting a new level of competition, either Middle School or Elementary, in your region, please let us know and we will help you get started.

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I. TEACHER ELIGIBILITY

1. All teachers whose students wish to participate in the festivals must be members of the Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA). Teachers may join the association by registering online at www.kwla-online.org.

Checks should be made payable to KWLA. There is no deadline for joining the KWLA, but students will not be allowed to participate until proof of membership has been received by the UK Festival office.

2. Teachers may enter students only in the festival designated as their regional festival. Any request for changes must be made in writing to the Executive Director.

If your region is not currently hosting a festival at your level (elementary, middle or upper), consider volunteering to help organize one. If your region does host a festival, but does not hold competitions in your language (French, German or Spanish), your students may be able to register to compete in another region; check with the Regional Directors.

Deadlines for entering Regional Festivals are determined by Regional Directors. Failure to meet Regional Festival deadlines will result in disqualification.

3. If there is no competition in your area for your German, Latin, Japanese or Russian students, you may enter them independently in the State competition; However, NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION FOR COMPETITION AT THE STATE FESTIVAL IF YOU DON'T COMPETE AT A REGIONAL IS THE MONDAY BEFORE FESTIVAL SATURDAY.

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II. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

A. All students must be currently enrolled in the level of the language in which they are to compete, except as noted below, and must be in good standing in their schools. Students who are suspended from school may not participate in either regional or state festivals.

  1. A student who has had the advantage of three to eleven months of study abroad in the language or participation in any other similar linguistic program should enter one level higher than his or her enrollment. This placement should be done in consultation with the regional director. Improperly enrolled students will be disqualified, and their teachers will be suspended from participation in the Festivals for a period not less than one year.
  2. Native Speakers. For the purposes of the foreign language festivals, "native speaker" is defined as (1) a student who regularly speaks the language with any relative who is a native speaker, (2) any student who has studied for one year or longer in a school conducted in the target language, including bilingual and international schools. (NOTE: Students who have lived abroad but have not studied in a school conducted in the target language are encouraged to participate in a level higher than the level in which they are enrolled.) Native speakers enrolled in foreign language classes may enter the Native Speaker level of the Recitation of a Literary Passage category. Native speakers may also take part in the following competitions: chorus, group entry for drama (not as the lead), and any non-academic category. Please Note: there are no divisions within the category of Native Speaker Recitation, other than elementary, middle and upper. All Native Speakers within those divisions will compete together.
  3. Exchange Students. Exchange students are defined as students from another country temporarily attending school in the United States. Exchange students may not enter any academic category of the festival in the language of which they are native speakers unless they are enrolled in classes in that language; if they are so enrolled, they must follow the rules as stated under A2 above. If they are students of another language, they may participate in accordance with the rules.
  4. Block Scheduling. Block scheduling varies from school to school, and makes it difficult to make a generalization as to the appropriate level of competition for any given student. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR REGIONAL DIRECTOR if you feel an exception to the rules which follow should be made for your students. Students on block scheduling should enter the level they were in during the fall unless the teacher believes them ready for the next level. If the student did not take a language in the Fall, but is taking a language this Spring, the teacher should consult with the Regional Director to determine the appropriate level of competition.

B. Teachers must certify that all entries are original for the year of competition. Art work must not have been entered in previous festivals, nor should students repeat recitations or present the same costume as in any previous year. The teacher must certify that art work, realia, and costumes were created personally by the student(s) whose name(s) appear(s) on the entry. Students may not repeat a dramatic presentation or a choral work within a four-year period. Any entry that is found to be in violation of these rules will be disqualified. Any teacher who deliberately enrolls a student improperly will receive a letter of sanction from the Executive Director, and that teacher and her or his students will be suspended from competition for up to three years.

C. Levels of competition are defined as follows:

  • ELEMENTARY DIVISION: Grades 4, 5, 6
    Level I: Beginning students studying 2-3 days a week.
    Level II: Beginning students studying 4-5 days a week, 2nd?year students studying 2-3 days a week.
    Level III: Second-year students studying 4-5 days a week, 3rd?year students studying 2-3 days a week.
    Level IV: Third-year students studying 4-5 days a week.
  • MIDDLE DIVISION: Grades 6, 7, 8
    Level I: Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in a first year program.
    Level II: Sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in a second-year program.
    Level III: Sixth-, seventh- and eight-grade students enrolled in a third-year program.
  • UPPER DIVISION: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.
    Level I: Students enrolled in first year programs.
    Level II: Students enrolled in second year programs.
    Levels III-V: Students enrolled currently in 3rd, 4th or 5th year programs. Note: students enrolled in language courses beyond the fifth year will compete at Level V. This means students may compete at Level V for more than one year.

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III. REGIONAL FESTIVALS

* The following are general guidelines. Regional directors may increase or decrease the number of entries per teacher according to the size of their festival. Please refer to information sent by the Regional Director. Teachers are solely responsible for the proper enrollment of their students and for getting students to their competitions.

A. Academic Categories
1. Entries per student: in order to encourage as many students as possible to participate, individual students in French and Spanish may enter only 2 academic categories per language; individual students in German, and Latin may enter 3 academic categories per language. Students in Japanese and Russian may enter up to 5 categories. Please note that special arrangements cannot be made for students with several competitions to guarantee compatible competition times.

2. Students competing at Level V may enter up to five (5) categories.

3. Entries per teacher: each French and Spanish teacher may enter up to two (2) students per academic category per class per level. German and Latin teachers may enter up to four (4) students per academic category per class per level; Japanese and Russian teachers may enter up to six (6) students per academic category per class per level. It is not required that students be from the same class.

4. Teachers of all languages at Level V may enter up to five (5) students in that level per academic category.

B. Construction Models
Construction model entries are limited to a TOTAL of two entries (individual and/or group) per teacher, regardless of how many classes are taught.

C. Chorus and Drama
Only one (1) entry per language per school is allowed in EACH of these categories: Chorus, Drama Dialogue & Drama Group.

D. Frameable Art, Origami, and Costumes
In each of these categories, each teacher may send a TOTAL of two (2) entries.

E. Realia, Video, and Games
In each of these categories, each teacher may only send a total of one (1) entry (the entry may be individual or group) per category per language. Russian and Japanese may have a total of eight (8) entries.

F. Dance
Each teacher may only send a total of one (1) entry per language.

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IV. STATE FESTIVAL

* All entries to the State Festival must besent by the teacher directly to the State Festival Office at the University of Kentucky.

A. General Rules
1. All entries to the State level which have first won at the Regional level must be received within three weeks following the regional festival. For Regional Festivals held after April 15, 2007, entries must be received absolutely no later than the Monday before the festival.

2. IF YOU FEEL THAT AN EXCEPTION SHOULD BE MADE FOR YOUR STUDENTS, YOU MUST CONTACT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. ENTRIES RECEIVED LATE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

3. All entries to the State level which have not first competed at the Regional level (see I.B above) must be made no later than May 10, 1006.

4. No corrections or changes will be permitted AFTER MONDAY OF FESTIVAL WEEK (5 days before the State Festival). The only substitution allowed is the replacement of one student performing within a GROUP. Substitutions within pairs, substitutions of leading actors or actresses in Drama competitions, and all other substitutions are disallowed.

B. French, German, Latin and Spanish
1. With the exceptions listed in 3. below, all students who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in academic competitions at the regional festival in Middle and Upper Divisions may compete at the state level. Spanish students must have a minimum score of 60.

2. Non-academic entries as well as Construction Models and Drama are limited to 1st place winners, with a minimum score of 80 for entry into the state competition. (In years with low enrollment at the State Festival second place winners with scores of 80 or better may be invited to participate at the State Festival.)

In spoken categories (the categories of Oral Proficiency, Recitation of a Literary Passage, and Extemporaneous Prose Reading), only 1st place winners may proceed to the State Festival.

C. Japanese and Russian
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners are allowed to compete in both academic and non-academic categories. If there is no competition at regional festivals for Japanese or Russian, six (6) students per category may be entered in the state festival.

D. All Languages: Level V
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners with a minimum score of 60 are allowed to compete. If a regional festival does not have a level V in any particular language because there is no competition, the level V teacher may enter three students (3) per category in the state festival.

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V. AUDIENCE AT COMPETITIONS

* Regional and State Festivals

Students and teachers may attend the following competitions: drama, chorus, costumes, and all art work categories after judging is completed. Students only may attend the recitation of a literary passage at the discretion of the judge.

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VI. JUDGING

1. Judges' decisions are final. Teachers are asked to make every effort to avoid any appearance of unprofessional conduct, and to engage in good sportsmanship and encourage it among their students. In order to avoid interruption of the competition, to guarantee the accomplishment of the Festival goals, and to provide a safe and pleasant experience for all participants, teachers are expected to avoid speaking to or otherwise contacting judges about the exams or about any student's or students' performance in any competition. Any teacher found in violation of this restriction will be suspended from participation in the Festival for a period of not less than one year. Teachers with complaints must submit them in writing either to the Regional Director, or directly to the Executive Director of the KWLA Language Festivals. Email will not be accepted at the State level. Complaints must include as much documentation as necessary to allow the Director(s) to pursue the matter in a fair, equitable and transparent manner.

2. Students in oral competitions must remain available for possible recall after being judged.

3. Judges must break ties for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at regional festivals. (Ties are allowed at the state level.)

4. Judging will be based on criteria listed in order of importance. Scores will be based on a 100 point scale.

5. Judges will not judge their own students nor will they judge students related to them.

6. Completed evaluation forms from regional festivals will be made available to teachers only at the discretion of the Regional Directors. No evaluation forms will be returned from the state festival.

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VII. AWARDS

1. Sweepstakes awards will be given at the State Festival. Sweepstakes winners are tallied according to the following scale:

Academic categories:
1st place ... 10 points
2nd place ... 8 points
3rd place ... 6 points

Non-Academic categories:
1st place ... 5 points
2nd place ... 3 points
3rd place ... 1 points

2. Teachers must make arrangements to pick up awards at regional festivals. Teachers wishing state to be mailed to them must provide the appropriate department at the University of Kentucky with a complete and accurate mailing address, and a phone number at which the teacher can be reached.

3. A Winners' list will be available at the KWLA website www.kwla-online.org no later than Wednesday following the State Festival. No results will be given until they are posted on the web.

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Academic Categories

I. ORAL COMPETITIONS

* Students in oral competitions must remain available for possible recall after being judged.

A. Recitation of a literary passage (French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish)

  1. Students will prepare a poem or a dramatic monologue written in the target language by a recognized author. The passage must be at least 14 lines long, and the presentation time must not exceed two minutes.
  2. No student may repeat a passage prepared for any previous festival.
  3. The passage must be given without an introduction and must be entirely memorized.
  4. The presentation will be done by a single individual before the judge.
  5. The student must present the judge with an unmarked copy of the text.
  6. At the judge's discretion, other students, but no teachers, may be present during the competition.
  7. Judges will ask students in lower divisions questions in English about the interpretation of the poem; students from Upper IV, V and Native Speaker will be asked questions in the target language.
  8. The criteria for judging follow in order of importance: i. pronunciation and intonation; ii. enunciation and fluency; iii. memorization; iv. expression (includes verbal, non-verbal, and facial); v. appropriateness of selection (sophistication of the poem relative to the age of the student) and level of difficulty (relative to level of student); vi. poise.

B. Extemporaneous Prose Reading (French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish)

  1. Each student will read aloud in the target language a passage provided by the judge.
  2. Each student will be judged individually before the judge.
  3. Judges will ask students questions (in English for lower divisions, in the target language for upper divisions) about content, meaning, vocabulary and grammar SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BREAKING TIES.
  4. The criteria for judging are as follows: i. pronunciation and intonation (accuracy of sounds and accent patterns), ii. enunciation and fluency (clarity and smoothness); iii. expression and poise (appropriate use of expression and gesture).

C. Latin Literary Recitation

  1. Each student will recite in the target language a passage prepared in advance. The passage will be sent by the regional director one month prior to the date of the festival.
  2. The passage must be entirely memorized.
  3. The presentation will be done by a single individual before the judge.
  4. At the judge's discretion, other students, but no teachers, may be present during the competition.
  5. Judges will ask students questions in English about the content, meaning, vocabulary, grammar and interpretation of the poem SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BREAKING TIES.
  6. The criteria for judging are in order of importance: i. pronunciation and intonation (accuracy of sounds & accent patterns); ii. enunciation and fluency (clarity & smoothness); iii. memorization; iv. expression (includes verbal, non-verbal, & facial); v. poise.
  7. Students may use either Classical or Ecclesiastical pronunciation. Equal weight will be given to either dialect of Latin, as long as the student=s pronunciation is consistent and accurate within the chosen system.

D. Oral Proficiency (French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish)

  1. Students will prepare practice conversations on topics appropriate to their level. Topics suggested are: Middle, Upper I: introductions, ordering in restaurants, buying food, buying clothes, comments on above; Upper II: planning vacations, buying clothing, invitations to various activities, describing subjects being studied or sports played; Upper III: borrowing money from each other; opinions about movies, T.V., videos; Upper IV-V: topics will range over a more general field, but may include: dress code, no smoking policies, political positions; bad surprises, (no hot water, ruined clothing, etc.).
  2. Students will be given situation cards or pictures illustrating the topics.
  3. Judges will ask students questions or otherwise engage in conversation with them.
  4. The criteria for judging are in order of importance: i. dynamism; ii. use of vocabulary; iii. difficulty & accuracy of grammatical structures used; iv. comprehension of judge=s interventions; v. pronunciation & fluency; vi. overall success of communication.

E. Drama (all languages)

Dialogue: A scene involving two students HAVING RELATIVELY EQUAL SPEAKING PARTS.

Group: A scene or scenes involving three or more students with speaking parts.

  1. Each school may enter one dialogue and one group performance.
  2. The selection may be a one?act play or an excerpt from a play. The selection must be a published play by a recognized author in that language. No play written especially for American students may be used. Any questions concerning the validity of an author should be directed IN WRITING to the Executive Director. Middle Division entries may be skits that are available in published form. Similar exceptions may be made for Latin, Japanese, and Russian. Copies of the skit must be provided to the Regional Director in advance of the festival. Skits written by students and/or teachers will not be permitted.
  3. All scripts must be memorized.
  4. A copy of the original work (or adaptation, IN Middle DIVISION ) must be given to the judge. If the work is an adaptation, the regional director's approval must be included. The copy should also include stage and costume directions, if any are indicated.
  5. The performance may not include song or dance unless called for specifically in the stage directions.
  6. Total time limit for preparation, performance, and stage clearance is TEN MINUTES. Selections taken from texts may be edited to fit the time limit. Performances exceeding the time limit will be penalized.
  7. The performance is not to be dominated by one student.
  8. The first place winner at the Regional Festival must present the same play at the state festival. No changes in the play will be allowed. However, if one student is unable to attend (in group drama only), and that student is not one of the lead performers, then another may be substituted.
  9. The same performance may not be repeated by a school more than once every four years.
  10. Native speakers and exchange students may not take part in the dialogue; however they may take part in the group entry, provided they do not take the lead part.
  11. Students may not participate in both categories of drama.
  12. The performance may be done in costume or in street dress.
  13. Teachers may prompt from the side.
  14. The levels of the participating students must be indicated and MAY BE a factor in judging.
  15. Students and teachers may observe performances but must not interfere with judges or performers.
  16. The criteria for judging follow in order of importance: i. pronunciation and intonation; ii. enunciation and fluency; iii. appropriateness of selection; iv. level of difficulty; v. costumes, decor, & acting ability.

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II. LISTENING PROFICIENCY

Languages: French, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish.

  1. Listening tests will consist of one or more of the following: short passages, individual sentences (read twice in the target language), or pictures depicting a scene or series of scenes. Questions with multiple choice answers and T/F statements about the passages, in English or in the target language will follow.
  2. The test will take 30 minutes.
  3. Some method for tie-breaking, such as a short dictation, will also be administered.
  4. Judging will be based on the total number of correct answers.

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III. GRAMMAR/VOCABULARY

  1. Test will consist of multiple-choice sentences, fill-in-the-blank paragraphs, reading comprehension questions, or a combination of the above. Test will be over grammar and vocabulary.
  2. The test will take 30 minutes.
  3. Contestants may not bring a dictionary, a grammar book, or any notes to the test.
  4. The judge may add a final question or questions for tie?breaking purposes. Such questions may deal with comprehension, a more difficult grammatical structure, translation or written response to an open ended question.
  5. Judging will be based on the total number of correct answers.

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IV. LATIN CULTURE/HISTORY

  1. The test will consist of multiple choice questions concerning Roman myths, culture and history.
  2. The test will take approximately 30 minutes.
  3. A final question or questions may be added by the judge for tie-breaking purposes.
  4. Judging will be based on the total number of correct answers.

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V. LATIN TRANSLATION AND READING COMPREHENSION

  1. The test will consist of a passage in Latin on which multiple choice questions will be asked to assess reading comprehension; students may be asked to translate a selection from the passage from Latin to English.
  2. The test will take approximately 45 minutes.
  3. Students may NOT bring a dictionary or any other notes to the test. The passage will include English meaning for unusual vocabulary.
  4. Judging will be based on the total number of correct answers.

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VI. LATIN DERIVATIVES AND VOCABULARY

  1. Students will be given lists of words or sentences in English or Latin, and will be asked to choose one of the following: i. the correct meaning, synonym or antonym, ii. the Latin origin, or iii. the English derivative.
  2. The test will take approximately 30 minutes.
  3. Judging will be based on the total number of correct answers.

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VII. CONSTRUCTION MODELS

A. Students from all levels of Elementary, all levels of Middle, or levels I, II or III of Upper division competitions. Note: construction models are divided for judging purposes only between Elementary, Middle and Upper; there are no finer distinctions made between levels in this category. NOTE: Japanese, Latin and Russian are all in this category for the present. Individual entries or Group entries.

B. Students from either Upper IV or V, in French, German and Spanish only. (Native-speakers may now participate at level V.) Individual entries or Group entries.

  1. The model may be the result of an individual or group effort; however, group effort is particularly encouraged so that there is sufficient research done to be able to answer questions both on cultural importance and construction techniques. (Individual entries will be judged only against other individual entries, and group entries will be judged only against other group entries.)
  2. The model is to be an original work depicting the culture of the target language. It may imitate or copy a masterpiece, but no kits or purchased models may be used. Lego pieces may be used in original constructions, but students may not reproduce Lego models from pictures included with Lego sets. Ceramics, unless part of a larger project, are not allowed.
  3. The model must be displayed on a table, may not be larger than 3'x 3' x 3' and may not be hung on a wall or stood on the floor.
  4. The student or a representative of the group must be present on the day of the festival to make a brief oral presentation of the model, in English for A entries and in the target language for B entries. The presentation will include cultural information as well as details about the construction. Presentation time will last no less than one (1) minute and no more than three (3) minutes.
  5. All work must be identified by a 5" x 7" card stating student's name, school code at regional festivals and SCHOOL NAME AT STATE FESTIVAL, category entered; and whether design is original or a copy of a masterpiece.
  6. The card must be signed by the teacher certifying that the student named actually did both the construction and the written description, and that it has been done during the current year.
  7. A 300 word description will accompany the model. If there is no description, the entry will be disqualified. The teacher must certify that the description is entirely the student=s or students= own work. Students entered in B (Upper IV and V) must use the target language in both their description and oral presentation.
  8. The criteria for judging follow in order of importance: i. cultural relevance and authenticity; ii. effective use of chosen medium; iii. originality (or likeness in the case of a copy) and design; iv. effectiveness of oral presentation; v. quality of workmanship and eye appeal; vi. quality of written description.

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Non-Academic Categories

The criteria for judging all non-academic categories will be as follows:

1. Languages: French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish

2. The criteria for judging all non?academic categories will be as follows: i. cultural relevance and authenticity; ii. effective use of chosen medium; iii. originality (or likeness in the case of a copy) and design; iv. written description or explanation; v. quality of workmanship and eye appeal. Some categories have additional criteria listed. The teacher must certify that the student named actually did the work and that it has been done during the current year.

3. All work must be accompanied by a 5 x 7 card stating the student's name, school code at regional festivals and SCHOOL NAME AT STATE FESTIVAL, category entered and a brief description (50?100 words) of the work, including whether the design is original or a copy of a masterpiece.

I. FRAMEABLE ART

* ALL Languages. Teachers may enter up to two students in the Frameable Art category.

  1. Any art work entered must be frame-able and must not be considered handiwork such as needlepoint, macramé, embroidery, crewel, crochet or knitting.
  2. The work must depict the culture of the target language.
  3. Art work may be an original idea OR a copy of a masterpiece, but it must be done by one student and not from a kit or model. (See general rules above.)

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II. ORIGAMI

* Japanese ONLY!

  1. Students preparing the entry in advance.
  2. Students preparing the entry spontaneously during the competition. See criteria above.

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III. REALIA

* ALL Languages. Teachers are restricted to one entry, individual or group. Individual and group categories should be identified accordingly.

A. Individual entry.
B. Group entry.

  1. Realia can be any kind of project (other than a game or a video) which is useful as a teaching or learning aid in either the language or the culture of the target language. Such items can include, but are not limited to: scrapbooks on food, advertising, clothing; verb, vocabulary, or culture wheels; collections of artifacts; presentations on history, literature or culture, etc.
  2. The project cannot exceed 3' x 3' x 3'.
  3. The project must be accompanied by a description, in English, of how the realia is to be used, and its educational and cultural merit. All parts belonging to the project must be clearly identified. The student(s) involved in the project must be present the day of the festival, both regional and state, to answer questions relevant to the judging of the project. If a student is not present with the project, the work will be disqualified.

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IV. VIDEOS

* ALL Languages. Teachers are restricted to one entry, individual or group. Individual and group categories should be identified accordingly.

  1. Entry can be any kind of video useful as a teaching or learning aid in either the language or culture of the target language.
  2. Students may prepare a video, 7 to 10 minutes long, providing the individual regional festival can accommodate it.
  3. Entries must be submitted two weeks prior to the regional festival. Teachers will submit regional winners to the state festival two weeks prior to the state festival.
  4. The entry must specify the video name and must include a typed, one-paragraph description of the title, contents, and objectives of the video. The description must be written in English.
  5. The video must be the work of students and feature student actors or informants; it must focus on the target culture and/or language in words, not just in pictures. The use of English (spoken and written) should be limited to the minimum necessary for and consistent with the objectives of the film, but normally the narrative will be entirely in the target language.
  6. Students should keep a copy of their videos in case of loss or damage to the original. At the State Festival, videos will be available for pickup in the Realia rooms.
  7. Criteria for videos: i. authenticity of cultural content; ii. language is grammatically correct , idiomatic, free of English interference & correctly pronounced; iii. originality of idea & success of realization; iv. assessment of project as a learning activity & assessment of project as material for teaching others; v. Cinematography (quality, variety, editing, special effects & sound).

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V. GAMES

* ALL Languages. Teachers are restricted to one entry, individual or group. Individual and group categories should be identified accordingly.

A. Individual entry.
B. Group entry.

This category follows the same rules as those for Realia, except that the project must be a game.

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VI. COSTUMES

A. Period costumes.
B. Traditional costumes(native dress).
C. Roman costumes (Latin only - no other distinctions)

  1. The costume must depict the culture of the target language.
  2. The costume must be completely handmade by one student and must be modeled by that student, a student model, or a life?size mannequin.
  3. The costume must be accompanied by an authenticating picture, preferably in color, and a written description of its history.
  4. If not modeling it, the student who made the costume must be present, be prepared to describe and answer questions about it.
  5. Students should expect judges to ask questions concerning history and cultural relevance of the costume and its fabrication.

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VII. CHORUS

  1. The chorus will consist of a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 25 students singing together, either in unison or in harmony at all times. However, the composition may be a round in which one group of 3 or more students starts and is followed by other similar groups. No exceptions will be made either at the regional or the state festival.
  2. The entire performance will be in the target language.
  3. No individual performances, solos or duets, are allowed at any point in the performance.
  4. Accompanying music may be live instrumental or recorded instrumental. The music must not be used for solo parts or emphasized in any way. Recordings may not contain any spoken or sung words. FESTIVAL SITES, INCLUDING THE STATE FESTIVAL SITE, WILL NOT PROVIDE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
  5. All songs must be memorized. No one may prompt from either the front of the group or from the side-lines. However a conductor keeping time is permitted.
  6. Singing time is not to exceed three minutes.
  7. The song must be culturally authentic. It must be written originally in the target language.
  8. The performance may not include either obvious dancing such as a Cancan or a Mexican hat dance, or rapping.
  9. Costumes may be worn by the singers.
  10. A school may not repeat a song more than once every four years.
  11. The criteria for judging will be as follows: i. pronunciation and intonation; ii. enunciation, fluency and expression; iii. choice of selection, appropriateness and level of difficulty; iv. musical quality (singing in key, good harmony); v. poise and overall performance.

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VII. FOLK DANCING

  1. The dance group will consist of 4-25 students dancing together.
  2. The dance must be representative of the culture of the target language.
  3. No individual performances, solos, duets or trios are allowed.
  4. Accompanying music may be live or recorded instrumental which may have spoken voice and singing. The music must not be used for solo parts or emphasized in any way. [NOTE: FESTIVAL SITES WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.]
  5. Dance time is not to exceed five minutes including entering and exiting the stage.
  6. Costumes may be worn by the dancers.
  7. A school may not repeat a song more than once every two years.
  8. The criteria for judging will be as follows: i. cultural authenticity; ii. appropriateness to age level; iii. accuracy of performance; iv. quality, poise and overall performance.
  9. Group will submit a one page description of the dance and its cultural significance (in English) to the judge prior to the performance.

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