Selected Events 2005

The Students Who Participated in the First Battle of Books Competition in Germany in Front of the Consulate General Leipzig

June 3-5, 2005
Four German schools representing the cities of Kiel, Aachen, Chemnitz and Markkleeberg (near Leipzig) participated in the first Battle of the Books in Germany. The competition on American youth literature was organized by four Fulbright teaching assistants who had initiated the program as part of a contest by the PAD (Pedagogical Exchange Service – which was also represented at the event). The 54 11th graders proved to be amazingly eloquent in English when answering factual, interpretative and creative questions on the books, thus refuting the notion that children would rather watch TV or play computer games than read. In addition to receiving the students at the Consulate, Consul for Public Affairs Dr. Elizabeth Bonkowsky attended the award ceremony on June 5 with the two eastern German schools, Markkleeberg and Chemnitz, coming in first and second. The contest prompted the students to immerse themselves in the English language and American literature, thereby broadening their views on U.S. society and values.