German Days: Photo Essay competition makes learning German fun!
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The winning team from Jennings International School in the age 12-14 age group, Vennapuwa
(© German Embassy Colombo)
COLOMBO, November 5 – The “GERMAN DAYS” 2011 kicked off last Saturday with the prize-giving ceremony of an inter-school photo essay competition.
The competition targeted Sri Lankan students who were enrolled in the Global German partner-school program (PASCH) and had the opportunity to learn German as part of their school curriculum.
Sri Lankahas three German language partner schools: Royal College, Colombo, Musaeus College, Colombo and Jennings International School, Venappuwa. Each school has about 100 to 150 students in the German language program.
Fifteen-year-old Ruwanthika Fernando from Jennings International school in Venappuwa says, “German is a really interesting language to learn, because it is also a window to a completely different culture. Germanyhas contributed many things in the field of music, philosophy and science&technology. Learning the language also exposes us to these other facets.”
Her team won the second place in the 15 and above age group category for a photo essay titled “I have a dream” that shares the story of a teenager who has a passion for music, but is pressured by her parents and teachers to become a doctor.
“The photo essay was based on a true story of what happened to one of my cousins,” added Ruwanthika. “I felt that a lot of teenagers have to learn to balance their dreams and family expectations.”
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Head of the Language department at the Goethe Institute, Mrs. Brigitte Wimaladharma handing over the prizes to the winning team from Royal College in the 10-11 age group
(© German Embassy Colombo)
The photo essays at the competition focused on a variety of themes, including day-to-day issues faced by students as well as more imaginative themes like going on a treasure hunt. The PASCH program also has a youth exchange component.
Tharushi Jayasekara, a member of the team from Musaeus College, that won the first prize in the above 15 age-category shared her experiences from her recent visit to Germany, for the annual Summer camp for PASCH students.
“I was really impressed to meet so many students from over 40 countries. What struck me most about Germany was how methodical and organised everything was,” she said.
PASCH students have also been sent to regional language learning camps in India.
The "Schools: Partners for the Future" (PASCH) Initiative was launched by the German Foreign Ministry in 2008. It aims to build up a worldwide network of over 1000 partner schools to create opportunities for young people to learn about modern-day Germany.
The Website of the PASCH Initiative - in German language only http://www.pasch-net.de/ offers multimedia content for teachers and students to improve their German language skills and has information on international German language competitions.
The Winners of the Photo-Essay contest are
10-11 age group
Banuka Weerasinghe Jayavi Gamage Dulana Athugala | Royal College | First place |
Sayanie Guneshika Sakura N.Fernando Udara Sithumini Shanaya Bridden | Jennings International school, Venappuwa | Second place |
Nishita Welandawa Sanvidiya Gajanayake Januda Jayawardena Avishka Kasturiaarachchi | Royal College | Third place |
12 – 14 age group
Thisaru Abeywickrema Keven de Silva Salman Ilham | Royal College | First place |
Imaya Fernando Mandira Mahindarathna Sasanka Samarathunga Kushan Weerakkody | Jennings International school, Venappuwa | Second place |
Sanjayan Withyshankar Vishva Prasadh Denoal Fernando | Jennings International school, Venappuwa | Third place |
15 – 18 age group
Dinithi Kahandawaarachchi Tharushi Jayasekera Nimaya Manudewa | Musaeus College | First place |
Ruwanthika Fernando Gayan Fernando Abhimani Perera Ashane Fonseka | Jennings International school, Venappuwa | Second place |
Harshana B.A.D. Manuja Anupama P.H. Dinu Dinayadura | Royal College | Third place |
