German Language Competitions

Overview of German Language Competitions

What a Year! Schlagzeilen aus der Zukunft

German Language Competition 2024

In the 2024 competition, we invite you to put together the front page of a fictional newspaper in the German-speaking world. The catch: you are writing the final edition of 2024 and must select the most important stories of a year that has not yet finished.

Roads not taken. Oder: Es hätte auch anders kommen können.

German Language Competition 2023

The DAAD and the ILCS joined forces once again to invite all learners and lovers of German to take part in our German language competition.

Zusammen - Together across Cultures

German Language Competition 2022

Zusammen - Together across Cultures: On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the DAAD London office, the 2022 DAAD/IMLR German Language Competition focussed on coming together, celebrating friendship and collaboration between people, countries and institutions beyond borders and across cultures.

Das Wort der Zukunft - The word of the future

German Language Competition 2020

The DAAD and the IMLR are joining forces for the seventh time to invite all learners and lovers of German to take part in a German language competition.

Victoria & Albert: love letters

Writing Competition 2019

The winners of the 6th DAAD-IMLR German writing competition were celebrated at an event on 28 June 2019 held at the German Embassy. Do have a browse through the pictures.

Chatting with Luther

Writing Competition 2017

The prize-giving event took place on Monday, 11 December 2017, in the Knowledge Centre of the British Library.

When Cultures Meet

Writing Competition 2016/17

Read what prize-winners and the authors wrote!

Translation Competition

Writing Competition 2015

The competition aimed to encourage a deeper engagement with the German language and culture through the complexities of the translation process. Contestants were asked to translate a set passage of Gröschner’s novel Walpurgistag.

In the conjunction wit the Germany - Memories of a Nation exhibition at the British Museum

Wiriting Competition 2014

We called on you to write a ‘DINGGEDICHT’ – a ‘thing poem’ or in other words a poem based on an object!

Europe - What next?

Writing Competition 2012

Where is Europe heading? Is it spiralling out of control? Do we need to redefine European values? What should a young European aspire to?

German loanwords

Writing Competition 2010

"Spiel”, "doppelganger”, "zeitgeist”, "stumm” are just a few examples of German loanwords in the English language.

Create a Modern German Fairy Tale

Writing Competition 2009

Germany is famous for its tradition of fairy tales. But what would a modern one be like?

What happens next?

Writing Competition 2008

What Happens Next? was the motto of the DAAD 2008 competition, whereby students were encouraged to come up with fictitious encounters between a famous German and a famous British personality.

Who wants to be a European?

Writing Competition 2007

We want to hear your advice to Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But don't mention the war II

Writing Competition 2006

Germany - love it or hate it? Enjoy writing?