Summer 2013 - The Independent Schools' Modern Language ...

Participants were well prepared and impressive with their factual knowledge,
strength of conviction, mastery of French and ability to answer du tac au tac
even after long periods of heated verbal fighting. The winning teams of the
two pools, Westminster and Sevenoaks, finally confronted each other, with
much deployment of panache, on the issue of fee paying universities versus
free education for all. You can listen to the debate, as well as the feedback
that was given by following the link on the ISMLA website (www.ismla.co.uk).
This final debate was adjudicated by Laurent Burin des Roziers, director of
the Institute, and Yves Letournel, from the cultural service of the French Embassy.
Attributing the victory to one team rather than the other was a difficult
decision, both having given a very strong performance. Sevenoaks finally
came out as the winning team, their contestants all the more derìserving for
being only in year 12. Thanks to ISMLA’s generous endowment for prizes,
both winners were presented with the newest edition of the Petit Robert,
while the runners up received a dictionary of synonyms.
Participants seemed to have enjoyed the occasion, which gave them a brilliant
setting to practise their French, as well as their debating skills - excellent
training for those of them who will now just have taken their A2 oral
exams. It also gave a welcome opportunity to students and teachers alike to
socialise with their peers from other schools.
ISMLA and the Institute are very keen to support this event and to see it
grow further. This involves more individual schools setting up a regional heat
in their area, and I know plans are already afoot for next year, notably
around Cambridge. If you are considering hosting a competition in your
school, the rules and format of the competition can be found on the ISMLA
website but please do not hesitate to get in touch with me
(Helene.may@spgs.org) if you would like to discuss the project and find out
more about practical aspects of organisation. I shall look forward to hearing
from you.
Hélène May St Paul’s Girls’ School (organiser of the South London regional
competition and coordinator of the National Final)
17