FLAG MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL
SPOKEN LANGUAGE CONTEST
Judging & Scoring Info

A. Criteria & Scoring for Modern/Spoken Languages

Judges will base their evaluation on the students ability to use the target language fluently in the level entered. Attention will be given to comprehension, pronunciation, vocabulary, overall competency in grammar/syntax, fluency, and student initiative in conversing in the target language. STUDENTS ARE NOT TO PREPARE SPEECHES AT ANY LEVEL.

Note the following criteria for each level:

  • Level I:
    These students will discuss self, family, school schedule, leisure activities, friends, weather, and time for a maximum of eight minutes. Students will also be asked to describe a picture. The present tense and immediate future may be used.
  • Level II:
    These students will discuss Level I topics (including a picture description) plus food, vacations, sports, and school activities (curricular and extra curricular) for a maximum of ten minutes. Judges will also ask questions requiring a response in past tense.
  • Level III:
    These students will discuss all the topics for Levels I and II plus be able to talk about interests such as movies and books in more detail, and be able to respond to hypothetical questions ("What would you do if you won the lottery?", for example) for a maximum of twelve minutes, and they are to demonstrate competency in the use of the present, past, and future tenses.
  • Level IV:
    These students will be prepared to discuss for a maximum of twelve minutes all of the topics from Levels I - III and will be expected to talk with the judge and be able to respond to a broad variety of open-ended questions and hypothetical situations. In Level IV, students should expect to be asked questions that require the use of present, past, future, conditional, and subjunctive.
  • Level V / AP:
    Contestants will be given the same opportunity as Level IV. The maximum time limit will be twelve minutes.

Sample Questions for Judges

Scoring

  • QUALITY OF COMMUNICATION (9 points possible)
    • Speaks with little or no hesitation (3 points)
    • Uses appropriate pronunciation and intonation (2 points)
    • Enhances conversation by using a high level of discourse / attempts a variety of structures/sentences (2 points)
    • Uses vocabulary appropriate for level (2 points)
  • COMPREHENSION (4 points possible)
    • Gives appropriate responses to questions / Does not use English
  • ACCURACY (3 points possible)
    • Uses appropriate grammar and vocabulary per level; attempts at more difficult structures does not impede comprehension

16 Points Possible

Ratings/Rankings:

  • 14-16 = Superior
  • 11-13 = Excellent
  • 8-10 = Notable

B. Criteria & Scoring for Latin/Classical Languages

The Latin oratory will be assessed using a scale based on the one used at the NJCL Convention:

  • Memorization: 20 points
  • Pronunciation: 15 points
  • Audience Contact: 15 points
  • Natural Gestures / Oratorical Style: 20 points
  • Enunciation and Voice Control: 15 points
  • Phraseology and Interpretation of Passage: 15 points

100 points possible

Rankings:

  • 92-100 = Superior
  • 83-91 = Excellent
  • 75-82 = Notable

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