Ask Le Grand Concours AATF National Convention St. Louis, July 18, 2017 Lisa Narug, National Director Le Grand Concours Megan Diercks, Assistant to the National Director

Why should we participate? From the perspective of: Students: opportunities for prizes and recognition sense of accomplishment growth in language skills college applications, scholarships and prizes Parents: how child has improved sense of pride Teachers and schools: how students compare to others in nation and chapter; promotion of program Why should we participate?

All French students are eligible to participate in le Grand Concours All French students are eligible to participate in le Grand Concours. There are different divisions to place homeschooled and tutored students, students in block schedules, all students. Who can participate?

What is Le Grand Concours? Multiple choice test Seven levels Elementary School (FLES): test with 30-60 items Levels 01-5: test with 60-70 items All levels include listening comprehension FLES includes a speaking portion for top scoring students Complete specifications available on-line: www.frenchteachers.org/concours What is Le Grand Concours?

Where do I place my students? FLES (Grades 1-6) Levels 1, 2, or 3 for different grades Divisions A, B, and Hors Concours Immersion Native speakers Scoring adjustments made for: # minutes/week Grade level When begin study Where do I place my students?

Where do I place my students? Levels 01-5 (grades 7-12) Level corresponds to credit or equivalent earned at end of school year. Ask your chapter administrator if you have questions Where do I place my students?

Where do I place my students? Levels 01-5 (grades 7-12) Five Divisions to accommodate various backgrounds and school schedules – remember the ABCs Division A – Absolute beginner Division B – Some background in French Division C – Completely Native Divisions D and E = different schedules (block/trimester) Where do I place my students?

How do I enroll students? Registration handled on national level Contact your local chapter contest administrator for information www.frenchteachers.org/concours Sign up students early How do I enroll students?

What preparation do students need? Everyday classroom activities Do a sample test to familiarize students with format (use as a sub plan!) What preparation do students need?

How do I encourage student participation? Start early -- tell parents about the Contest on back-to-school night Tell students about the Contest in the fall Give a quiz grade or extra credit for participation, regardless of Contest results Offer top scorers no homework for the rest of the year regardless of rank. Funds can come from French club, fund raisers, students, or department How do I encourage student participation?

School or department responsibilities PAPER Contest Neutral party to receive testing materials Proctor(s) to administer the Contest Can be organized as an « in-school » field trip Parents can be proctors Person in charge collects materials, re-stores materials until end of Contest, and sends answer sheets for scoring School or department responsibilities PAPER Contest

School or department responsibilities ONLINE Contest Provide lists of students. Teachers may proctor their own students. Verify school equipment and facilities. School or department responsibilities ONLINE Contest

Where and how do students take the Contest? PAPER Contest 60 minutes required – all students in a level must test at the same time. Test may be split over two days: part A one day, part B another day After school Weekends During class time In school field trip Classroom with CD player or computer with speakers Where and how do students take the Contest? PAPER Contest

Where and how do students take the Contest? ONLINE Contest 60 minutes required – students in a level do not need to test at the same time. Test may be split over two days: part A one day, part B another day After school Weekends During class time In school field trip Where and how do students take the Contest? ONLINE Contest

When do we receive results? PAPER TEST - Raw scores are sent to teachers as they are scored (4 scan batches) ONLINE TEST – Students know their scores upon completion of Contest. National and chapter rankings and national percentiles must wait until all students have been scored – mid April Final results include Chapter and national rankings National percentile Student detail report When do we receive results?

Sample Results Report

Prizes and Student Recognition

National Prizes Platinum medal and plaque – first place national (highest score) Gold Medal - 95th percentile Silver Medal – 90th and 85th percentiles Bronze Medal – 80th and 75th percentiles Mention honorable – 70th to 50th percentiles Chapter and national ranks are available but will not determine prizes French Embassy Academic Prize

Other recognition Chapter prizes School prizes Chapter Ranks 1-10 Top student in each school Others as determined by the chapter School prizes Best in class Most improved

To recognize student achievement Chapter Distribution des Prix School Award Ceremonies Board of Education Recognition Local newspaper and press To recognize student achievement

Coming soon….

Timeline for success! Fall: Winter: Spring: Discuss the Grand Concours with students Highlight the Grand Concours at back-to-school night Contact your local contest administrator to verify contest cost Winter: Renew your AATF membership Finalize your participating students Enroll your students (give yourself time for this) Spring: Administer Contest Receive certificates and prizes!

www.frenchteachers.org/concours Email: director@frenchcontest.org For more information