The Competition
Students tell an original story in two languages. One language must be English, the other a language in addition to English (i.e. spoken in the home and/or community). The story can be about any topic, can be true to storyteller’s life or fictitious. The story should be intercultural, i.e. conveying ideas and messages about the other language and its culture(s).
Stories must be presented as a bilingual eBook using a narrative genre. The book must include audio files of the story told in a language in addition to English, and audio files of the English translation. Images such as photographs taken by the student or drawings/paintings created by the student should be included on each page to reinforce the meaning of the story. Written words and captions are optional. The eBook must not exceed 20 pages.
Teachers of bilingual students, background language students, English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) students such as Aboriginal language teachers, EAL/D teachers, community and mainstream language teachers should encourage their students to take part in the competition. The competition is designed to give voice to culturally and linguistically diverse students, and to provide them with opportunities to develop translating and intercultural skills. When encouraging participation in the competition, teachers must ensure students read the Code of Conduct before taking photographs.
Assistance from adults can be sought, however it is essential that the content ie the story, images and spoken narratives (eBook audio files) be the work of the student. Should the student use any other images or photographs they must be free from any copyright, including third party, restrictions. The story must be original, not a translation of an existing story.
Eligibility
This competition is designed for background and first language learners of a language in addition to English. In 2020, the stories must be created by individual students.
Categories / Languages
Age categories:
Junior Primary (PP-Year 3)
Primary (Years 4-6)
Lower Secondary (Years 7-9)
Upper Secondary (Years 10-12)
There is no limit to the languages in addition to English that can be used in the bilingual storytelling.
Prizes
Prizes are awarded to the best story in each age category. Winning stories of each age category will receive a monetary prize of $50 (1st place), $30 (2nd place) and $20 (3rd place). All creators of winning stories will receive a Winner’s Certificate.
Winners will be invited to attend an event during Term 4 to receive their prize and will be notified via email by 12 October 2020.
Videos of the winning film submissions may be screened at future MLTAWA events and/or posted on the MLTAWA website, MLTAWA YouTube channel and the Languages in the Mainstream Facebook page.
Judging criteria
Each story will be judged on:
-
-
- Combination of visual and digital elements to reinforce meaning and create layers of meaning.
- Ability to entertain, convey ideas, express emotions and explore the creativity of language.
- Ability to capture the experience of ‘living between languages/cultures’ and/or the multicultural nature of the creator(s) personal, school and community experience.
- Ability to convey intercultural knowledge and understanding.
-
Submission process
Students themselves submit their stories, however, teachers and/or parents should assist in the uploading of the submission.
The submission page is password protected. If you have not received the password, please email [email protected] to request it.
-
-
- The eBook submissions must be uploaded in an ePub format and uploaded to the Submission Page.
-
Submissions must be accompanied by a scanned copy of a signed Declaration Form for each student appearing in the videos. The declaration forms can also be uploaded to the submission page
All competition submissions are bound by the Languages in the Mainstream competition Terms and Conditions.
Key Dates
4 May 2020 Let Me Tell You a Story (Let me Tell you in my Language) Competition launched
25 September 2020 Let me Tell you a Story (Let me Tell you in my Language) Competition submissions due
12 October 2020 Creators of winning stories notified and invited to attend a MLTAWA event
Term 4 2020 Winners collect their prizes and certificates at an Awards’ event
Related documents and resources
Let Me Tell You a Story Competition Poster Print out and display at your school.
The Art of Storytelling Khan Academy/Pixar in a Box free online course