GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition
In 2011/2012, the competition was held for the 16th year in a row. The first round takes place in October with further rounds following until Easter. This year the final was held on 10th May 2012.GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition
Organised by the Goethe-Institut Irland
Sponsored by SIEMENS Ireland
Partner: German Teachers' Association (GDI)
"European Language Label 1999"
Seala na hEorpa/European Language Label
The GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition project of the German Teachers' Association (GDI) in co-operation with the Goethe-Institut Dublin was awarded the European Language Label for innovative language teaching and learning in 1999.
Every year schools from all over Ireland take part in the GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition. One of the main aims of the competition is to enable students to use their German outside the classroom. Furthermore the students' confidence increases and it improves their debating skills in general.
The final of the 16th debating competition in German in Irish secondary schools took place on 10th May 2012 at the Goethe-Institut Dublin.
GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition Organised by the Goethe-Institut Irland and sponsored by Siemens On 2nd May 2012 the best German debating teams from secondary schools all over Ireland met for the 16th time in the Goethe-Institut, Merrion Square, Dublin. They were competing for the title measuring their German language abilities against each other. Out of a total of thirty three teams the two schools to reach the final were Ardscoil Mhuire from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and St Leo’s College, Carlow. The topic of the final debate was „Den Tüchtigen gehört die Welt” (“The World belongs to hard-working/capable People”).
This event was organised by the Goethe-Institut Irland and sponsored by Siemens. Siemens was represented by their CEO Paul Lynam and the Director of Marketing Michael O’Connor. Paul Lynam emphasised the fact that the debate was a great opportunity for the participants to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the German culture and language and that this is not only a benefit for future employment opportunities but also important for the development of the individual. Two of the distinguished guests among the invited were the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ambassador of Switzerland.
Below is a short introduction for those who are not familiar with the rules of the “GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition”. Each team consists of four members, including the team captain who opens and ends the debate. Whether the teams are “pro” or “contra” is selected in advance and at random. Content and language ability are important elements of the debates. However, creativity, humour and the ability to rebute the arguments of the opposing team fall under the criteria necessary to win this competition. Points are deducted if the speakers go over the appointed time of four minutes. Both teams received the topic in advance and sufficient time was given to prepare for the debate. Before opening the debate the chairperson of this year’s debate, the GDI-president Annelie Eberhardt, praised the outstanding achievements of both teams and remarked that “only one team can take the trophy home but for me you both are already winners”.
2012’s final turned out to be a nail-biting head to head race. Ardscoil Mhuire, this year represented by Caoimhe Divilly (captain) Louise Smyth, Ciara Corbett and Sinead Cormican, defended this year’s topic and were opposed by Lucyana Sinpetru (captain), Sara Rennick, Poppy Ashmore und Stephanie Holmes of St Leo’s College, Carlow. Arguments were supported through excursions into for example areas like industry, education and the job market, sport, literature, philosophy, pop culture and everyday life. Some speakers presented their arguments expressively and with humour. Again and again much laughter was heard coming from the audience.
The outstanding achievement of both teams is in no small part due to the commitment of their teachers Stephanie Burke (Ardscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe) and Ann Tully (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), who also received a prize at the end of the debate for their commitment. This year the jury included jury speaker Harald Seibel (First Secretary for Press, Cultural and Political Affairs, German Embassy), Margaret Mohan (teacher) and Siobhan Supple (teacher). After a long deliberation the jury decided to award the fist prize to St. Leo’s College, Carlow. During the announcement of the winning team Mr Seibel emphasised the impressive presentation given by both teams and in particular their ability to perform at an impressive German language level.
The prize for best speaker went to Poppy Ashmore. There was both delight and rejoicing over the prizes presented. It was a great day for all participants, with lots of learning, laughter and chat.
Results of previous Leaving Certificate examinations show that participants in the debating competition achieve particularly high marks in the oral examination.
GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition Organised by the Goethe-Institut Irland and sponsored by Siemens On 2nd May 2012 the best German debating teams from secondary schools all over Ireland met for the 16th time in the Goethe-Institut, Merrion Square, Dublin. They were competing for the title measuring their German language abilities against each other. Out of a total of thirty three teams the two schools to reach the final were Ardscoil Mhuire from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, and St Leo’s College, Carlow. The topic of the final debate was „Den Tüchtigen gehört die Welt” (“The World belongs to hard-working/capable People”).
This event was organised by the Goethe-Institut Irland and sponsored by Siemens. Siemens was represented by their CEO Paul Lynam and the Director of Marketing Michael O’Connor. Paul Lynam emphasised the fact that the debate was a great opportunity for the participants to gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the German culture and language and that this is not only a benefit for future employment opportunities but also important for the development of the individual. Two of the distinguished guests among the invited were the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ambassador of Switzerland.
Below is a short introduction for those who are not familiar with the rules of the “GDI All Ireland German Debating Competition”. Each team consists of four members, including the team captain who opens and ends the debate. Whether the teams are “pro” or “contra” is selected in advance and at random. Content and language ability are important elements of the debates. However, creativity, humour and the ability to rebute the arguments of the opposing team fall under the criteria necessary to win this competition. Points are deducted if the speakers go over the appointed time of four minutes. Both teams received the topic in advance and sufficient time was given to prepare for the debate. Before opening the debate the chairperson of this year’s debate, the GDI-president Annelie Eberhardt, praised the outstanding achievements of both teams and remarked that “only one team can take the trophy home but for me you both are already winners”.
2012’s final turned out to be a nail-biting head to head race. Ardscoil Mhuire, this year represented by Caoimhe Divilly (captain) Louise Smyth, Ciara Corbett and Sinead Cormican, defended this year’s topic and were opposed by Lucyana Sinpetru (captain), Sara Rennick, Poppy Ashmore und Stephanie Holmes of St Leo’s College, Carlow. Arguments were supported through excursions into for example areas like industry, education and the job market, sport, literature, philosophy, pop culture and everyday life. Some speakers presented their arguments expressively and with humour. Again and again much laughter was heard coming from the audience.
The outstanding achievement of both teams is in no small part due to the commitment of their teachers Stephanie Burke (Ardscoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe) and Ann Tully (St. Leo’s College, Carlow), who also received a prize at the end of the debate for their commitment. This year the jury included jury speaker Harald Seibel (First Secretary for Press, Cultural and Political Affairs, German Embassy), Margaret Mohan (teacher) and Siobhan Supple (teacher). After a long deliberation the jury decided to award the fist prize to St. Leo’s College, Carlow. During the announcement of the winning team Mr Seibel emphasised the impressive presentation given by both teams and in particular their ability to perform at an impressive German language level.
The prize for best speaker went to Poppy Ashmore. There was both delight and rejoicing over the prizes presented. It was a great day for all participants, with lots of learning, laughter and chat.
Results of previous Leaving Certificate examinations show that participants in the debating competition achieve particularly high marks in the oral examination.
Further information is available from:
Anna Maria Weiss
Organiser German Debating Competition
Language Department
Goethe-Institut
Irland
62 Fitzwilliam Square,
Dublin 2
Fax: 01 6762213
Mobile: 0873683895
E-mail: debatte@dublin.goethe.org
or on the homepage of the German Teachers' Association (GDI)
www.germanteachers.ie
