Now in its third year, the 2016 Plymouth College House MFL Speaking Competition has reached an exciting climax. Held in the library, 23 pupils from KS3, 4 and 5 took part presenting in French, Spanish and German. Pupils performed in non-native and near-native categories, accompanied by powerpoint presentations.
Mr Mike Zollo, chief examiner for over 32 years and an author of over 20 language textbooks, judged and was impressed by the calibre of the competitors, who demonstrated skills in both language and presentation. Mr Zollo gave a thought-provoking speech on the real importance of being able to speak a foreign language in today’s world. The evening was further enhanced by a performance by Julia Banholzer on the electric piano.
All winners and runners-up will represent the school in the regional final in Barnstaple on Wednesday 9th March. The top competitors of this round then go forward to the overall final at Bath University on 29th June. Last year Luc Dewulf won the overall near-native KS5 final for French and Sauri Roche-Walker was overall runner-up in the non-native KS5 final for Spanish.