Andrew Watters was so successful in his German language studies that Germany called him over for a visit.
Watters, 16, is the winner of the German government's annual contest in B.C., whereby non-German students are tested on their proficiency in the language and in their knowledge of Germany's culture. Prince George students have won prizes in this contest in the past but Watters is the first local student anyone can remember placing first place and getting the all-expenses-paid trip to see the country firsthand.
"The contest is not open to youth who's first language is German, it has to be someone who learned it, and Andrew learned all his German here in Prince George, mostly at school," said his Duchess Park Secondary School teacher Gerry Chidiac who offers the course as a bilingual alternative to French, the predominant choice of local high schoolers.
"I gave this contest a shot back in Grade 10 and didn't win anything," said Watters. "I decided to give it another try this year but again I figured I didn't have a chance to win anything so I went into it quite relaxed. I didn't stress over the questions or second guess my answers and I guess that worked. To my surprise I was contacted by the German consulate to let me know I was one of the finalists."
It was soon revealed that he was indeed the overall winner and had his parents' consent to accept the month-long summer trip.
"I was quite stunned," Watters said.
The contest was a written multiple choice exam plus some questions requiring essay response.
Chidiac said part of Watters' preparation was doing a couple of replica exams to get used to the style of the assignment.
"When you hit a student blindside, that isn't usually how they get the best results, so I wanted to provide that familiarization."
Another key factor Chidiac was able to provide was a life's perspective. He grew up in a German-English bilingual household, and never thought his knowledge of the language would amount to anything more than a quirk of personality. But then it played a pivotal role in winning teaching positions and putting that bilingualism to use.
Watters leaves in early July for his four weeks of German immersion. The first two weeks he will be based with a German family to teach him all the practical nuances of Germany, then for the next two weeks he will be transported about the country to personally experience different regions and major cities.
"It is very forward-thinking of the German government to encourage students this way," Chidiac said. "It really provides a lifelong connection and personal understanding of their country."
Watters is a principal's list recipient for his overall academic results. He has German heritage in his mother's side of the family, his mother speaks it but it is not the way the family converses. Once this trip is finished, Watters hopes to be able to have more discussions around the dinner table in his second language.
