The recent French, German and Spanish debating competition at Cheltenham College was a resounding success for the CLC MFL Department. It highlighted the impressive skills and determination of students across different language pools. The event saw moments of great achievement, personal growth, and fierce competition, with all participants showing real dedication.
In Spanish, Charlene and Janice (SFC1) jumped in at the last minute, just two minutes before the start, as another school couldn’t attend. Despite the surprise, they scored an impressive 36/45, missing the semi-finals by just a few points.
Ashley and Anikah (SFC2) dominated with 44/45 and powered through four debates to reach the final. They had to argue against the motion "Gender inequality remains a major problem in modern Spanish society", a tougher stance to defend. While their language, humour and quick thinking impressed everyone, the opposing team’s points just tipped the balance.
In the French category, teams from SFC1 (Kate and Luna) and SFC2 (Ursi, who volunteered bravely at the last minute, and Chandrika) faced off in the semi-final after winning the first three motions. Ursi and Chandrika triumphed in the semi-final and reached the final, where they narrowly lost by just one point to Repton School, debating the motions “Pineapple pizzas should be forbidden” and “Horror films are better than romcoms”. Despite the defeat, the real success was the team's enthusiasm and resilience.
The German competition saw Alice and Isabella (SFC1) start with some nerves but go on to win their third debate, defeating two Year 13 students from Bradfield College with the motion "Men must emancipate themselves in today's society". Their success was a testament to their perseverance, and they were thrilled to have taken part in such a challenging event. In the SFC2 pool, Imogen and Sophie impressed the judges with their exceptional German skills. Though they were penalized for not being forthcoming enough in terms of showmanship, they still managed to win the same challenging motion as the SFC1s.
Overall, the competition proved to be an exciting and fulfilling experience for all involved, showcasing the students' abilities in languages and debating. The event not only celebrated their debating achievements but also their growth in confidence and presentation skills, with everyone leaving with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Dr Gerry, Head of Modern Foreign Languages
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