Beginner Application   

Theme: Choose one

• • From struggles to strength: My path of growth

  • My dreams and aspirations; or  

  • Motivation to learn Korean: Why am I interested in Korea and/or Korean language?

Eligibility: 

• • Students enrolled in or taking a temporary leave from Dutch (applied) universities (including MA and PhD students)

  • No prior awards in the Beginner-Level of previous competitions

  • Beginning-level (equivalent to TOPIK 2 or below) learners that have received 2 years or less (as of 11 April 2025) of formal Korean language instruction (required to list the Korean language educational institution(s) attended and the duration in the application form)

  • Students must have had less than 20 weeks (or none) of Korean language coursework in Korea + no experience of long-term stay (1 year or longer at a time) in Korea

  • If you grew up speaking Korean at home with both or either of your parents, you are not eligible for the beginner level.

Apply:

• • Application deadline: 8 March, 2025 (Saturday). Contact the organizer if you wish to enter the contest after the application deadline.

  • How to apply: Please complete the following online application form:     https://leidenuniv.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xT9ldcKkVRIUMC 

  • Application document: Please prepare your speech manuscript (3-minute length) and submit it by 31 March 2025 (Friday) to a designated online folder. The folder link will be provided later to applicants. Additionally upload a photo of yourself to the same online folder for display during your speech. Ensure that you name both your transcript and photo files with your full name.

  • If we do not receive your manuscript by 31 March, your application will be automatically rejected, and you will not be able to compete on 11 April. If you require more time to prepare, please contact the organizer and inform us of your preferred submission deadline. The final deadline for submitting the manuscript and photo is Saturday, 5 April. 

Manuscript:

• • Your speech should be approximately 3 minutes. 

  • Please include both Korean and English titles in your manuscript. Both titles will be introduced during the contest and featured in the program. Under the title, please write your full name. 

  • Save your manuscript and photo files with your full name (e.g., Laura Bowens). 

  • The submission link for your manuscript and photo will be sent to your email on 10 March. 

  • Minor changes to your manuscript are allowed after submission. For major changes, please resubmit your new manuscript before the contest. Save the file as "your full name_NEW" and upload it to the same submission link. 

  • While preparing for your manuscript, you may seek assistance from your Korean friend to refine the language and eliminate awkward mistakes. 

  • Additional Tip: It is essential to remember that this is a "Speech Contest," not a reading contest. It is highly recommended to memorize your manuscript and engage with the audience, rather than simply reading from your script. If needed, you may bring palm note cards containing key words for reference during your speech.

Prizes:

• • JBL charge 5 bluetooth speaker, FLSK Thermobottle, and Foldable Quilted Picknic Blanket

  • LG monitor

  • LG earbuds

  • Samsung Tablet

  • Sonmat 100 euro restaurant gift card

  • Van Gogh Museum gift set worth 250 euro

  • All contestants will be offered a commemorative gift (Korean food box & umbrella). 

Contact: 

If you have any further questions, please contact us via email.

leidenkoreastudies@gmail.com