Welcome to the
Junior Language Challenge 2008
This unique competition was set up to give thousands of children across the country a headstart in learning languages.
Experts agree that the more practice we all have at learning a new language - any language at all - the better we become at picking up a new tongue. And the younger, the better.
So we are challenging primary school children to learn up to three languages in under 9 months, starting with Dutch!
All entrants are given a FREE Learn Dutch CD-ROM worth £25 in return for a £2.50 entry fee that goes entirely to charity.
There is also a top prize for the winner and their family of a once in a lifetime trip to Africa as well as further free language software for semi-finalists and finalists!
The competition, now in its sixth year, has had loads of good feedback from teachers and pupils alike. In fact more than 60 per cent of schools re-entered the competition last year.
So why not give your child or pupils the chance to learn a language skill that will last a lifetime, and have lots of fun at the same time? It’s risk free and you’ve got nothing to lose!
News
Registration for the EuroTalk Junior Language Challenge 2008 has now closed.
All entrants who are not using the special PC discs must send in their printed certificates by fax or email before 9.30am on Friday 20th June, otherwise their score will not be counted.
If there are any problems, contact the JLC team immediately.
Everyone will find out by Wednesday 25th June 2008 if they have qualified for the regional semi finals. These will be held in late September, where the top 30 scorers in each area will compete for a place in this year's Grand Final.
A full timetable for the semi-finals will be posted shortly.
Best of luck to everyone!
Interested in taking part?
You can now pre-register for JLC 2009. Please click on the pre-registration form at the top of the page and enter your details, to be among one of the first to find out about next year's Challlenge.
Attention ALL SCHOOLS USING RM NETWORKS!!
If you are interested in installing the JLC software on your RM network, please contact us on 020 7371 7711 or e-mail us at jlc@eurotalk.com, and ask for either Chelsey or Katie.
Back to top
Who can take part?
If you are a primary school pupil and UNDER 11 on 1st September 2008 (ie. you have to be 10 or under on 1st September 2008), then you can take part either with your school or as an individual.
Back to top
Where does the money go?
All the funds raised by the JLC are donated to Thare Machi Education (formerly known as the Starfish Initiative). Thare Machi aim to bring basic education to women and children
in developing countries who desperately need it, through the use of interactive lessons on hand-held DVD and MP4 players. The £5,000 raised by the 2007 Challenge will buy solar panels
and enough of these players for ten schools in Uganda, with each school receiving ten players.
Up to five children can use each player at one time. So last year’s JLC raised enough money to educate five hundred children at once!
In previous years, the Junior Language Challenge has also funded brand new classrooms in African countries, where Thare Machi can then provide the facilities for basic education.
2005’s winner, Hayley Richardson, travelled to Malawi with her family as a children’s ambassador, to open one of these new classrooms.
If just one child from every primary school in Britain takes part in 2008’s Challenge, we can raise enough money to educate up to 6,000 children in a developing country at any given time.
Click on the link on the left to go to Thare Machi’s website and find out more about their work.
Back to top
What the teachers and children say about the competition:
"This kind of ICT based activity is
extremely valuable in supporting language activities in
primary schools where 'traditionally' we don't have foreign
language specialists in our staff."
Beverley Hume, Head Teacher of St. Francis C of E,
Plymouth.
“Learners of all abilities demonstrate an increased self-confidence in the learning of another language.
We have found it a motivational suite of software designed to inspire.”
Lynn Boulton, Primary Strategy Consultant for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
“I have been very impressed by the amount of support available from EuroTalk.
Whenever, I have needed assistance I have always found the staff to be extremely efficient as well as very friendly.
Support is always available via the telephone or e-mails. Any concerns or problems I have encountered either technical or otherwise have been sorted out very quickly.”
Sue Todd, MFL Co-ordinator, Holy Trinity Rosehill CE Primary School
“I entered the Junior Language Challenge in 2005, and I couldn't believe it when I won!
The competition was really fun to do, and I enjoyed learning the languages.
My prize, a trip to Malawi for me and my family, was out of this world, something I definitely won’t forget.”
Hayley Richardson, JLC Winner, 2005
“I passed my GCSE with an A*. Your JLC was the reason I realised that I could do well in languages and your discs really showed how easy it could be.
I was very sad when I could no longer do JLC."
Aurelia Hibbert, JLC Finalist, 2005
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences with the JLC. Learning phrases in six languages has shown me that I have a linguistic aptitude,
which I hope to pursue further. I would heartily recommend other pupils to enter this competition- it’s fun!”
Arpan Sharma, JLC Finalist, 2006 & 2007
“I use EuroTalk discs all the time. They’re so easy to use and gave me the incentive to learn Spanish.
The JLC set me on the path to learning languages.”
Lucy Smith, JLC Winner, 2003
"Children in my class found the language
learning very motivational. They could work at their own
pace and use our newly installed technology. They enjoyed
keeping a track of their own score and trying to beat it -
and others."
Gavin Johnston, Amble Links First School, Northumberland.
Back to top
Junior Language Challenge FAQ's
Who can take part?
How is the challenge organised?
What sort of ICT facilities do I need to be able to take part?
We have Apple Macs - can we still take part?
How much of my time will it take up?
I'm not a linguist - I'd feel lost teaching a language I've never learnt!
We already do a foreign language at my school - I can't fit another one in!
Is there a minimum age of entry?
Can a child take part at home as well as at school?
How much does it cost?
I'm a parent - can my child enter independently?
What languages will my pupils be learning?
What sort of prizes are you offering?
When is the deadline for entries?
Where can I find information about Eurotalk and previous Junior Language Challenges?
I have got my disc - what do I do now?
Why are the points not being recorded?
Why are my points going down?
My disc is blank!
How will we get the points to you?
I have scored the maximum number of points - what do I do now?
My system tries to play last year's language!
What is the maximum number of points that I can get in each game?
I am a Mac user: can I add up my points on my Mum and Dad's computers?
I get an error message 'You do not have permission to make system changes' or 'The file C:\Program Files\EuroTalkTalkNowJLC\Unwise.exe could not be opened.'
My Windows XP Firewall prevents me from running the software
My PC says the software requires a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. What do I do?
Schools: I can't register the pupils because of firewall problems.
Schools: I can't login!
Schools: I want to add extra pupils but I have surpassed the number of pupils recorded on the registration form. What do I do?
Schools: Can the JLC software work with our Network Manager?
How is the challenge organised?
| What to do? | Where? | Who? | When? | |
| First Round | Play the games on the disc to gain points | Either at home or at school (Internet access is required) | If you are a primary school pupil, and UNDER 11 on 1st September 2008 (ie. you have to be 10 or under on 1st September 2008), then you can take part either with your school or as an individual. | Deadline will be set nearer the time. No points after this date will be accepted. Second language will be sent around the same time |
| Semi-Final | Practise the games on the second language disc | At home or at school; no passwords needed and points will be taken from the semi-final | The top 30 scorers from each region will qualify for the semi-final: playing games chosen at random from the disc against the clock | Venues and times to be confirmed, likely to take place at end of September - beginning of October |
| Grand Final | Practise the games on the third language disc | At home or at school; points will be taken from the Grand Final | The top scorers from the semi finals will go through to the Grand Final, playing the games on the disc like the semi-finals | Language Show, London in late October - early November |
Back to top
What sort of ICT facilities do I need to be able to take part?
Ideally you need a windows network with a broadband
connection. You can sign up immediately by clicking the
"Apply as a School" link at the top of this page. You'll
need to register the entrants online and their scores are
updated every time they log on.
Back to top
We have Apple Macs - can we still take part?
You can, but you must tell us: you will need separate
discs and will not be able to post your scores online. We
will ask you to print out your score and send it to us.
Back to top
How much of my time will it take up?
Very little! Children can log on and use the discs at
their own pace.
Back to top
I'm not a linguist - I'd feel lost teaching a language I've never learnt!
You won't actually have to teach anything: all the
language teaching is on the CD-ROM - listening and speaking
activities, along with all the quizzes and games!
Back to top
We already do a foreign language at my school - I can't fit another one in!
If you already teach a language it will probably be
French: the language we have chosen for the first round is
Dutch.
Back to top
Is there a minimum age of entry?
No, there is no minimum age of entry.
Back to top
Can a child take part at home as well as at school?
Yes, but a disc and a password will be required, as well
as connection to the internet.
Back to top
How much does it cost?
There is an entrance fee of just £2.50 per child,
all of which goes to Thare Machi Education (formerly the Starfish Initiative), a registered
charity which provides purpose built interactive
audiovisual learning for some of the poorest women and
children in the world.
Back to top
I'm a parent - can my child enter independently?
Yes, you can. You will need to complete a separate
application. If you wish to register your child as an
individual entrant please click the "Apply as an
Individual" link at the top of this page. You will be
prompted to input your credit / debit card details. All
personal details entered over a secure link - look for the
small padlock on your browser window.
Back to top
What languages will my pupils be learning?
The first language will be Dutch - the second and third languages will be announced later, but we will probably follow a pattern similar to last year (e.g. Second - non-Roman language, Third -African).
Back to top
What sort of prizes are you offering?
There will be prizes for top scoring finalists. Previous top
prizes have included trips to Lapland and South Africa!
Back to top
Where can I find information about Eurotalk and previous Junior Language Challenges?
You can find information about Eurotalk at our website
which can be found at: www.eurotalk.com
You can also watch a BBC video about Eurotalk and a previous
Junior Language Challenge in your browser if you click on the following link:
(Adobe Flash Player 7 required!)
BBC video about the Junior Language Challenge
Alternatively you can download videos about the Junior Language Challenge to your computer by clicking on the links below:
(MPEG-4 format, right click on the link and save target)
JLC 2006 Video (mpeg4, ~25MB)
JLC 2005 Video (mpeg4, ~36MB)
BBC video in mpeg4 format (mpeg4, ~15MB)
JLC 2004 pictures (mpeg4, ~28MB)
Back to top
I have got my disc - what do I do now?
You need to play the games on the disc and get as many points as you can (1800 max. on the disc). We will inform everyone when of the deadlines for the three rounds as and when they come.
Only those who qualify for the following stages will get the chance to learn the next language.
Back to top
Why are the points not being recorded?
You need to make sure that the following steps are completed after each session:
1. On the lower right hand corner, click on a button with a picture of a foot
2. Click on the same button till you get a dialogue box with a message:
"Congratulations - you have increased your score from ?? to ?? Do you want to save this?"
3. Click on the Yes button.
4. On the lower left hand corner, click on the button with a picture of a man walking back to quit the program completely.
Back to top
Why are my points going down?
You score points for all correct answers but points are deducted every time you get an answer wrong. You can replay the games until the full amount of points has been won.
Back to top
My disc is blank!
You need to tell us immediately and we will send replacements.
Back to top
How will we get the points to you?
We have a system in the office that is updated after each session. For non-internet and Mac users, certificates need to be printed from the discs and sent to us via fax or post before the first round deadlines.
Back to top
I have scored the maximum number of points - what do I do now?
If you have scored the full 1800 points, then there is not a lot you can do besides wait for the deadline, just in case you get questions wrong and your points get taken away from the total score.
For Mac and non-internet users, you need to send in your printed certificates to us before the deadline.
Back to top
My system tries to play last year's language!
Uninstall any previously installed Talk Now program e.g. last year's language before making a start on the next disc and then restart the computer.
Back to top
What is the maximum number of points that I can get in each game?
There is a maximum of 50 points in each game (Hard or Easy - totalling 100 max. per section) and 800 on the memory game. So there is a maximum of 1800 points on the disc.
Back to top
I am a Mac user: can I add up my points on my Mum and Dad's computers?
Points on separate Mac computers cannot be summed up as one. Make sure you use the same Mac computer throughout the round.
Back to top
I get an error message 'You do not have permission to make system change' or 'The file C:\Program Files\EuroTalkTalkNowJLC\Unwise.exe could not be opened.'
Make sure you logon with an Administrator account the first time you run the JLC software.
Back to top
My Windows XP Firewall prevents me from running the software
Go to the Control Panel on your PC and make an exception for Port 42424. Follow the steps below:
1. Click Start -> Control Panel and open Windows Firewall
2. Select the Exceptions tab, click on the 'Add Port..' button
3. Type EuroTalk in the name field and 42424 in the port number field
4. Click on the OK buttons and run the JLC software.
Back to top
My PC says the software requires a screen resolution of 1024 x 768. What do I do?
See below instructions on how to increase your screen resolution:
1. Right click anywhere on the desktop (not on any of the icons and make sure no program is running)
2. Click on Properties
3. From the Properties Window, click on Settings Tab
4. On the Settings Tab, you will see that the resolution is set to 800X600
5. Click and drag the resolution bar till it reaches 1024 x 768
6. Click OK when you are done (Your screen may flicker, so do not panic)
Back to top
Schools: I can't register the pupils because of firewall problems.
You can send the names of the pupils to us via fax or email and we can register the names here. Be sure to include your fax number or email so we can send both the teacher and pupils' passwords to you.
Back to top
Schools: I can't login!
Pupils have a different password to the teacher. During the registration process, as the teacher enters the names of the school's pupils, another password is made for each child.
These are the ones that they use when they are using their individual discs at home or at school.
Back to top
Schools: I want to add extra pupils but I have surpassed the number of pupils recorded on the registration form. What do I do?
In the event that this happens (e.g. on the registration form, you recorded 10 but want to add 2 more), please contact us with the name(s) of the pupil(s)
and we will register them from the office and reply back with their individual passwords.
Back to top
Schools: Can the JLC software work with our Network Manager?
No it can't. The JLC software is totally independent from the EuroTalk LanguageLab software and any other language titles installed on the school network. Separate
installation instructions are required for the JLC discs.
Back to top