2023 "Why Learn Chinese" Competition

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To generate interest in learning Chinese among American students.

 An essay/talent show video competition 

 For all the middle school and high school students in the Pacific Northwest region 

Two ways to participate:

1. An essay of 400-800 words regarding this prompt:

"Building Leadership through Languages and Cultures"

Leadership opportunities can occur in any phase of the education process. Serving as an ASB officer isn’t the only outlet in which to lead. You may have already helped your classmates in the Chinese class, participated in your Chinese club, advocated for your Chinese program in the school community, volunteered at local cultural events, etc. Yes, you are an emerging leader! Please share your journey and ideas about how to impact the world around us through Chinese language and culture.

​OR

2. A cultural performance video of yourself or your group 

Essay

• Limit of 1 entry per contestant 
• The work should be completely original and presented in either English or target language.
• Contestants will be judged by certified teachers and professionals looking for superior ideas, messages, and content.

Video

• Minimum length 1 min but should NOT exceed 4 minutes, in high-resolution, and recorded horizontally.
• All performance videos need to be appropriate in content, demonstrating a talent representing Chinese language and culture. Performances may include but are not limited to songs, rap, traditional musical instruments, folk dance, martial arts performances, folk art, poetry recitation, etc. Subtitles are not required but are recommended.
• Contestants will be judged by certified teachers and professionals looking for preparation, creativity, and quality.

Separate prizes for both categories
1st Place: $100 (1 winner)
2nd Place: $80 (3 winners)
3rd Place: $50 (5 winners)

Finalists (top 10%):
Certificate of Excellence

Timeline

After your submission, you will receive a confirmation email. We ask that you add info@whylearnlanguages.org to your trusted list of senders, contacts, or address book. If you do not see an email info@whylearnlanguages.org in your Inbox, our email may have mistakenly been sent to your spam folder. Finalists will be announced by May 19, 2023. Each entrant will receive an email. Everyone is welcome to attend the virtual award ceremony in May 2023. We will announce which place the finalists won at the ceremony. 

We also offer an Outstanding Contribution Award to a teacher or an organization who has demonstrated dedication and support to the competition by encouraging the greatest number of participants. The award carries a cash prize of $100. Please make sure to include your teacher’s name on the registration form.  

SUBMISSIONS DUE April 30, 2023
Questions? president@waace.org

 Option 1:

Fill out the registration form HERE and enter a shareable URL link that does not require judges to sign into. Save your file with the name WLC2023_Category plus your name (first name and last name). 

For example: WLC2023_Essay_Erika_Williams

You need a Gmail account to receive a confirmation email.

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Option 2:

Upload your file to the registration form HERE with a Gmail account.​