Deutscher Sprach- und Schulverein

German Language and School Society

of Wisconsin

2014 - 2015 DSSV Essay Contest

Contest Details and Guidelines

Eligibility

·         Essay contest is open to students of all public and private high schools in the state of Wisconsin, who are presently enrolled in a German class. 

·         Students must be participating in the German language test sponsored by the AATG test at Level III or Level IV.

Awards

• The first place winner will receive a study trip to Germany , following the eligibility guidelines established by the AATG. 
• Essay contestants may also win cash prizes ranging from $25 to $ 500. 
• Teachers will be notified of their student winners after the DSSV committee receives the AATG test results and the essay evaluations.

Guidelines

·         Students at each school are expected to complete the essay together as a class. 

·         Allow thirty minutes for completion of the essay. 

·         Essays must be a minimum of five (5) paragraphs. 

·         No dictionaries, textbooks or notebooks may be consulted and teachers may not assist students while the essay test is being administered. 

·         Students must write on lined paper with pen.  

Registration/Submission Requirements

·         Teachers should register their students online at www.dssvwi.org.  Registration can also be mailed to Marge Draheim at the address below. 

·         There is no fee to participate in the DSSV essay contest.

·         Note that there is a fee to participate in the AATG test.  Please refer to the AATG website for more information.  As noted in the cover letter, the DSSV will provide up to $50 to help offset this AATG fee. 

·         Registration for the essay contest will close on (Extended due to technical problems with web site). 

Essay Contest Logistics

·         The essay contest topic will be sent directly to the teachers after registration is completed. 

·         Teachers should not share the topic with the students or help them prepare for the topic. 

·         The test must be administered before January 30, 2014 and all essays must be received no later than February 2, 2015. 

     Tests can be administered at the same time as the AATG test, or separately.   

·         Teachers are to submit completed essays to:

Mrs. Marge Draheim

DSSV Contest Coordinator

2137 W Seneca Dr

Appleton , WI 54914-6803

Judging Guidelines

• Judging is done first by a committee of DSSV members.
• Final level of judging is done by a university German professor, who ranks the top thirty essays.
• Consideration is given to originality, grammar, vocabulary, and how well the topic is addressed. 
• Selected students are then invited to interview.
• Prizes are awarded based on the combined score of the AATG test and the essay.
• Students must participate in an interview to be eligible to win a study trip to Germany.

Judging Guidelines

Judging is done first by a committee of DSSV members, then by a university German professor. Consideration is given to originality, grammar, vocabulary, and how well the topic is addressed.  Selected students are then invited to an interview.    

CONTEST Registration Deadline:  (extended due to technical problems with web site).

ESSAY Submission Deadline:  FEBRUARY 2, 2015 

 Questions?  Please Contact Marge Draheim at register@dssvwi.org