"Champions d'expression" Concours Oral
AATF Chicago/N. Illinois
*Due to social distancing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are cancelling this year's Concours Oral.*
Champions d'expression is a French forensics contest for middle- and high-school students in the Chicago/N. Illinois chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French. It is open to all, although member teachers receive a registration discount for their students.
In Champions d'expression, students prepare and perform a piece of spoken (or sung!) French. There are several different events in which students can compete. Each student will be scored by 3 advanced or native speakers of French according to a rubric. Texts and rubrics vary by level. Prizes and certificates are distributed at the end of the contest.
The 2011 contest was the first time for this event in our area, and was hosted at Proviso West High School.
From 2012 to 2018, we were graciously hosted by the department of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures at Elmhurst College. This has provided a wonderful opportunity for collaboration between students & teachers at varying levels of French education.
In 2019, the contest will be held at Barrington High School.
We offer our thanks to the coordinators of the oral French contest programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin for their assistance and willingness to share information, as they have established their contests as an excellent model.
Interested in participating but not sure if you're ready? Watch this video for some encouragement & tips!