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Triple Triumph for St Swithun’s Linguists in National Competitions |
The many cognitive benefits of learning languages are undeniable. Students who speak more than one language have improved memory, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, enhanced concentration, ability to multitask, and better listening skills.
Here at St Swithun's, an all-girls independent school in Hampshire, our MFL department encourages students to partake in national competitions and opportunities such as the Oxford Olympiad and Anthea Bell Prize. We are pleased to share the success of three St Swithun’s students who have recently achieved recognition in these prestigious national modern foreign language competitions.
Amadea Wins Oxford German Olympiad
Amadea has been named winner of the Oxford German Olympiad in the Years 12–13 category.
The Oxford German Olympiad is an annual national competition run by the Oxford German Network for learners of German in years 7 to 13. It encourages students to expand their German language skills and explore German culture through creative tasks and challenges.
For the Years 12-13 category this year, students were asked to either write a proposal for a new sport to be included in the Olympic Games, to create a conference brochure looking at the notion of e-sport, or to tell the story of a historic instrument from the perspective of that instrument.
Emilie – Area Winner in the Anthea Bell Prize for Spanish
We also celebrate Emilie (L6), who has been named the Level 3 Area Winner (South East) for Spanish in the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, a competition organised by the Queen’s College Translation Exchange at the University of Oxford. Over 22,000 students took part this year, with nearly 5,000 entries judged.
Her winning translation of a vividly imaginative Spanish passage was praised for its sensitivity, rhythm, and creativity. Here is an excerpt from Emilie's translation:
The magpie tapped the glass twice with its beak - knock, knock. A figure opened the window; shrouded in a blanket, he gave off a certain ghostly air. He wore a forest green wool hat, edged with snowflakes, from which tumbled several ginger ringlets. The bird entered the room, flapping anxiously. It perched on the writing desk and ruffled its feathers.
Rose – Commended in Anthea Bell Prize for German
Meanwhile, Rose (U6) was awarded a commendation for her German translation, also as part of the Anthea Bell Prize. Her compelling translation of a skateboarding scene demonstrated great skill, here is an exerpt:
Just before the park, he shot off again, then, popping the skateboard into the air, he flew with a tremendous ollie over the grassy strips into the park. In doing this, he nearly knocked down the three little girls, who were standing on the rim practising shuv-its. We all automatically retreated a little, even Leyla and her friends stopped talking and watched open-mouthed as Tom pushed, still with an insane speed, onto the kicker and flew into the air, where he spun the skateboard under him in a perfect treflip.
About the Anthea Bell Prize
Schools taking part in the Anthea Bell Prize received free access to a suite of innovative classroom resources in six languages: French, Spanish, Mandarin, German, Italian, and, for the first time, Russian, which boasted 194 entries. Schools submitted thousands of student entries, almost 5000 of which were judged by a panel of Oxford undergraduates and renowned literary translators.
The popularity of the Anthea Bell Prize indicates that creative, cultural content is the key to increasing uptake and attainment in languages.
Dr Charlotte Ryland, Director of QTE, said:
“All the conversations I have with participating teachers make it clear that we are meeting a real need for rich, creative, and cultural opportunities for languages classrooms, and we’ve been so inspired by all the creative ways in which teachers and pupils have engaged with the Prize.”
Modern Foreign Languages at St Swithun’s
Language is the most direct connection to other cultures. Greater understanding, in turn, promotes greater tolerance, empathy, and acceptance of others—with studies showing that children who have studied another language are more open toward the culture associated with that language. To prepare St Swithun's students for their future career the MFL department creates a learning environment that promotes multilingualism which will help to improve job prospects and advancement opportunities.