Vogts kicks off German contest

Vogts kicks off German contest

Scotland's best-known German, Berti Vogts, is aiming to score a major success by increasing interest in his native language amongst Scottish school pupils.

An initiative from the University of St Andrews will see the first annual German language recitation contest for school children held in June.

And Herr Vogts, manager of Scotland's national football team, will present the prizes.

He said: "Of course it is convenient to get by with English anywhere in the world.

Core curriculum

"But as a German, I am delighted to see that Scottish pupils realise the importance of German and take up the subject despite English being a world language."

The competition is part of a drive by the department of German to counter the decline in the study of foreign languages at secondary school level, following their removal from the post-14 compulsory core curriculum.

The recitation contest is aimed at pupils studying German at all levels.

Events will involve a series of readings, recitations and role-playing in which performers will be judged on pronunciation, fluency, expressiveness, acting skills and originality.

Speaking German

Professor Helen Chambers, chair of the department of German, said: "The study of German is an important key to career opportunities and to social and cultural contact for young Europeans.

"We want Scottish school children to have the same opportunities as their European neighbours, 50% of whom speak German.

"The competition is a chance to find out that speaking German can be fun and we are delighted that Berti Vogts has agreed to be involved in the event."

Interested schools should contact Annette Zimmermann at the department of German for further information and entry forms.