Students Find Entertaining Way to Present
Bilingual Talks in English and Spanish

BOSTON, April 1.  The Bilingual Finals sponsored by Speaking American were presented following the completion of the 1-Minute Talks. Students in Grade 6, spoke in English and Spanish.

Ms. Heidi Wolf, Organizer of the event and Founder of Speaking American, said, "Speaking American started its Bilingual Public Speaking program - Speaking English PLUS - for Grades 6, 7, and 8 in 2006. English is the core language required each year while the foreign language changes each year. For 2007, the second language is Spanish."

"It's always a challenge," Ms. Wolf added, "for the students using two (2) languages to keep the audience interested in both languages during the recitation. The Finalists from South Shore Charter School decided on entertainment."

Finalists Rossy Herrera and Molly Weber used their handbags as a prop. They kept the audience guessing what object would be pulled out next. Each item was identified in English and in Spanish. What next? Their cell phones rang.

The Bilingual Talks - English & SPANISH

Bilingual Judge and Result

The Judge for the English & SPANISH contest was Alejandro Paiuk. He is a graduate student at the Harvard Business School (HBA) and Vice President of the Latino Organization at HBA. He welcomed the contestants and wished them Good Luck, Buena Suerte!

Grade 6: Rossy Herrera - Winner

Prizes and Awards
We want to thank the Friends of Speaking American for their donations. Prizes for Winner of the Bilingual Talks was a cash prize. Winners Circle Prize was a BORDERS gift card. Parents' Prizes were picked by lottery. Prizes were donated by Trader Joe's - two (2) colorful re-useable Trader Joe's shopping bags filled with a variety of fascinating food products sold in the store. Teacher's Prizes were also picked by lottery. Prizes were donated by Panera - three (3) pastry boxes. One filled with scones, the others filled with fancy cake slices.

Certificates of Participation
All students who give a recitation at school within the timetable for the contests set by Speaking American are entitled to receive a Certificate of Participation. Speaking American provides the Certificates and sends them to the Principal or Contest Co-ordinator at the school. The school decides how and when to distribute the Certificates to their students.

Photographs of Event
We want to thank Alina Grossman, (BU grad) photographer, for our photos of the event which capture lasting memories of our Speaking American Finals for 2007.

Get Ready for CHINESE Talks in 2008:

Visit our web site for updates on next year's Talks. By mid-September we will be announcing the Required Theme (Grades 3 & 4) for the 1-Minute Talks. Grades 5 and 6 are free to choose their own topics. For the bilingual Talks in 2008— English and CHINESE are offered for Grades 6, 7 and 8. Yes, Grade 6 students can join both contests.