Please read the following points carefully if entering a team for 2023:
1. What time do we need to be there and when will it finish?
Schools should arrive at the Whitla Hall for 10am to begin setting up their stalls. The event will finish at 2.15pm.
2. Is there parking available?
Parking at Queen’s is limited and can be difficult. NICILT will endeavour to arrange parking for teachers coming with their team by car or minibus. More information about this will be provided to schools upon registration. Botanic Train Station is approximately five minutes’ walk from Queen’s University.
3. Do pupils wear their uniforms?
Yes, we would ask that pupils come to the event in their uniform so they can easily be identified on campus. They can, however, ‘dress up’ for the duration of the exhibition, if they feel it adds dramatic effect to their performance.
4. Can pupils bring real posters/information leaflets for the 'En la oficina de turismo' option or do they need to make the posters/information leaflets?
It is possible for pupils to display actual posters/information leaflets or create their own.
5. If the pupils choose the 'En la oficina de turismo' option, can they advertise somewhere that is outside of the Spanish-speaking world?
No, the stand must be marketing a village/town/city where Spanish is the native tongue.
6. If the pupils choose the 'En el Salón Eurofest' option, do they need to bring real products?
The role plays for Hispanofest are imaginary scenarios, but the answer to the question depends on the product that is being “sold”. For example, if the pupils are “selling” a car or another large item, it would be impossible to have real products, and they should therefore have 10 photographs of the product to “give” to the judges who “order” the item. On the other hand, if the pupils are “selling” a food item, it is a good idea for them to have 10 real products to give to the judges. If the product chosen is make-up or perfume for example, pupils can have either photographs, real products or “mock-ups” of bottles, items etc.
7. Does the product that is being “sold” have to be a pre-existing item?
No, pupils are welcome to design a completely new product if they wish to.
8. Do the pupils have to have a Food Hygiene Certificate in order to produce a food item?
There is no rule that the pupils must have a Food Hygiene Certificate. However, it is a good idea for pupils to look professional, for example, by wearing aprons, rubber gloves and using tongs and napkins.
9. Do pupils provide products for competitors?
No, just for the judges. However, pupils will be able to browse other stands on the morning.
10. a) Can I bring more than four pupils? b) Can more than one teacher attend?
a) Unfortunately due to the limited space, each group is restricted to four pupils. Please have a fifth pupil on standby at school in case of absenteeism on the day of the event. The fifth pupil will need to be involved from the beginning and should learn the role play, although we cannot allow him/her to come on the day, unless they are filling in for an absentee- unfortunately we do not have the capacity to allow one more person from each team to attend as there would not be enough seats for the second half of the day. The alternative is to risk only involving four from the start and if one person is absent on the day, the team will only have three members. The team will not be penalised for only having three members but they will have to undertake more involvement in the role plays.
b) No, only one teacher can attend. However, if a pupil on the team is assisted full-time by a classroom assistant then he/she can also attend. Please inform NICILT if this is the case.
11. Can pupils who are native Spanish speakers attend Hispanofest?
If you have native speakers of Spanish who would like to take part, we would kindly ask that only one takes part in the competition.
12. Do I need to register the names of the pupils in advance?
Yes, we will ask you to submit your pupil names to us by 15th November. In the case of changes to your team, amendments may be submitted to NICILT ahead of the competition date. Schools who do not submit their pupil names by the deadline will forfeit their place and it will be offered to a school on the waiting list.
13. Do the pupils have to be from Year 10?
Yes, Hispanofest is only open to Year 10 pupils who study Spanish.
14. Do the pupils have to stick to the role play script? b) Do the judges have to stick to the role play script?
a) Yes, pupils must keep to the script on the role play card, but can extend their answers to ‘show off’ their Spanish speaking skills. We have no stipulated time length for each role play, but please encourage pupils to remain under 6 minutes.
b) Yes, judges will not go off the script. They may ask for additional information in English about products at the stand.
15. Can pupils use cue cards on the day to help with their answers?
Yes, pupils can prepare cue cards to help them remember answers but we would encourage them not to use them on the day of the event. Prizes will be awarded to the team with the best Spanish language so this is in keeping with the spirit of a competition.
16. a) Do all pupils have to speak to the judges? b) Can they split the role-play up between multiple pupils?
a) Yes, pupils on the team should take turns during the role-play to speak to judges visiting the stand, so that each team member plays an equal part in the speaking and learning. We rely on your team’s integrity to take turns to do the role-plays.
b) Yes, role-plays must be split between pupils. Pupils, along with their teacher, can decide how best to split the role play.
17. What are prizes awarded for?
Prizes will be awarded at the end of the event, based on the judges’ marks which will be given for:-
1) Best Spanish (response to questions/role-play and accuracy of written/spoken Spanish)
2) Most Enterprising Trade Stand (En el Salón Eurofest)
3) Most Enterprising Tourist Stand (En la oficina de turismo)
4) Most Creative Trade Stand (En el Salón Eurofest)
5) Most Creative Tourist Stand (En la oficina de turismo)
6) Overall winners (Top-scoring team)
18. Can my team find out what score they were awarded?
No, scores will not be revealed to pupils or teachers.
19. What happens after the trade fair?
There will be time to take down the stands and have lunch. Following this, teams will go on a tour of the Queen’s campus as well as meet and hear from specialist speakers on the relevance of Spanish for employability. Then there will be refreshments and prize-giving.
20. What costs will be incurred?
The competition is FREE. The only cost schools incur will be for transportation and materials for pupils to create their display for the day of the competition. One member of staff must also accompany pupils to the event.
21. What is parental permission needed for?
Parental permission for pupils to attend this event is not explicitly required by NICILT. However, we do advise that schools acquire this in advance, as photographs of pupils will be taken at the event which may appear on the NICILT website and social media. Thank you for your co-operation with this.
22. How many judges will be there?
We envisage around 20 judges in total. Each stand will be visited by 4 judges who will spend up to 10 minutes at each stand.
23. Will penalties be incurred?
Yes, teams will be penalised, at the discretion of the judges and NICILT Management, if they do not comply with the following:
- A maximum of 4 pupils per stand
- Pupils and teacher only set up the stand (no parental involvement)
- All information on stand must be in Spanish
- Tourist Stand must market a village/town/city where Spanish is the native tongue.
24. Are electrical items allowed at the stand?
The use of electrical items at the event is not permitted. Laptops are permitted but must be fully charged on arrival.
25. Will pupils have access to Wi-Fi?
Pupils can obtain Wi-Fi access for the purposes of the task. However, please inform NICILT as soon as possible to request this. Public Wi-Fi is not available at the venue and NICILT must pay for Wi-Fi access for visitors.
26. How do we attach items to the stand?
NICILT will provide drawing pins and/or velcro dots to attach items. Please bring any other equipment as necessary to set up your stall. Please note that pupils must not use staple guns.
27. What arrangements are in place if the event is not able to go ahead?
If the PHA or NI Executive guidance prohibits the staging of large gatherings, NICILT will move the competition to a digital format. NICILT will endeavour to inform schools of the change of format in a timely manner. Teams will be given a minimum of 6 weeks to film their role play, with the teacher playing the part of the judge, and submit their entry to NICILT for judging.
28. I have a question that has not been addressed here - who can I speak to?
If you have any further questions, please contact us at nicilt@qub.ac.uk.