Advantaged Speakers

Advantaged Speakers

“Advantaged Speakers” are students:

  • who have lived in a German-speaking country 6 weeks or more at one time since the age of 6;
  • who reside with a native German-speaker who regularly speaks German at home;
  • who speak German at  home; 
  • who visit or have visited a German-speaking country (annually or biannually), visiting German-speaking homes; OR 
  • who have attended a school where the majority of subjects were taught in German for one or more years.

Advantaged speakers may compete in the “Advantaged Speaker” categories for Prose and Poetry Memory, Extemporaneous Speaking, and the Advantaged Speaker Written Test.  They may also participate in the following:

  • Arts: Club Album, Crafts, Digital Logo Design, Gingerbread House, Needlework, Original Models, Photography, Poster Design, Shirt Design
  • Drama: Skit (Level 4), Puppet Show (Upper Level)
  • Cooking: all events
  • Music: Classical Ensemble, Contemporary Music (as instrumentalists only), Einzeltanz, Folk Dance, Polka Band
  • Oral Tests: Oral Presentation

They may NOT compete in any other written tests, photo essay, vocal solos or as singers for contemporary music. 

It is left to the professional judgment of the teacher to determine the eligibility of students. Questions of eligibility should be addressed to the contest director prior to the contest registration deadline. If a student is designated Advantaged in one category, he/she must be entered as Advantaged in all categories and contests. 

Please note Advantaged Speakers in your alpha list. If it is discovered either by the judges or the staff of the contest that a student is improperly entered, the teacher will be notified and the student will be disqualified from the competition.

Exchange Students

Exchange students from German-speaking countries may NOT enter any “advantaged speaker” categories; however, they may participate in certain Art, Drama and Music events:

  • Art: Club Album, Crafts, Digital Logo Design, Gingerbread House, Needlework, Original Models, Photography
  • Drama: Video Show (non-speaking role)
  • Music: Classical Ensemble, Folk Dance, Polka Band

“German-speaking countries” includes Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other German-speaking colonies in many countries.

Exchange students from non-German-speaking countries may enter the category for the level in which they qualify.