NSC Overview

 The National Spanish Challenge (NSC) is an online motivational contest for Elementary-Middle School students in grades 1-6 that recognizes and awards our elementary students as they pass certain thresholds while learning Spanish.

Click the image below to see the winners of the First Annual National Spanish Challenge Coloring Contest! ~ ¡Concurso Colorido!

 Divisions of Competition

The National Spanish Challenge has 5 Divisions of Competition based on:

(1) The student’s grade level and

(2) How the student has been exposed to learning Spanish

* See the two charts below to help determine which Division of Competition to register your students for! *

Division

Is for a student in Grade

Who

 Non-Immersion Divisions

 

A

1

2

3
  • Has no experience studying Spanish other than the classroom

B

 

4

5

6
  • Has just begun studying Spanish and has no experience studying Spanish other than the classroom OR
  • Is in a strictly oral program

C

5

6
  • Has studied Spanish for several years

 Immersion Divisions

 

D

1

2

3
  • Is in an immersion or partial immersion program OR
  • Has been privately tutored for two or more years OR
  • Has studied in a Spanish-speaking country OR
  • Has had more than one year of immersion preschool.

E

4

5

6
  • Is in an immersion or partial immersion program OR
  • Has been privately tutored for two or more years OR
  • Has studied formally in a Spanish-speaking country

 

Teachers can find the appropriate Division of Competition for their students by referring to the charts above and below:

If the student is enrolled in

And

Then the student will compete in

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3
  • Has no experience studying Spanish other than the classroom

Division A
  • Is in an immersion or partial immersion program OR
  • Has been privately tutored for two or more years OR
  • Has studied in a Spanish-speaking country OR
  • Has had more than one year of immersion preschool.

Division D

Grade 4
  • Has just begun studying Spanish and has no experience studying Spanish other than the classroom

Division B
  • Is in an immersion or partial immersion program OR
  • Has been privately tutored for two or more years OR
  • Has studied formally in a Spanish-speaking country

Division E

Grade 5

Grade 6
  • Has just begun studying Spanish OR
  • Is in a strictly oral program

Division B
  • Has studied Spanish for several years

Division C
  • Is in an immersion or partial immersion program OR
  • Has been privately tutored for two or more years OR
  • Has studied formally in a Spanish-speaking country

Division E

For purposes of the National Spanish Challenge: "partial immersion" is defined as, "Any program with 500 minutes-per-week in Spanish."

 Format

 The National Spanish Challenge has different types of questions in Five (5) individual sections: 

Exam Section

Divisions

Questions

Section 1

Vocabulary:

Picture Identification

with spoken sentences

A, B, C, D, E

20

Section 2

Interpersonal Communication:

Logical Responses

B, C, D, E

10

Section 3

Interpretive Viewing

C, D, E

7

Section 4

Interpretive Reading - Sentences

8

Section 5

Interpretive Reading - Texts

C, E

5

Content

Click on the following link to view the Specifications for the National Spanish Challenge.

Click on the following link to view the types of questions on the National Spanish Challenge. 

Test Administration

Exam Window: All students competing in the NSC must complete the challenge between February 27th - April 5th. 

Results

Official results for the National Spanish Challenge will be released to teachers on or about April 28th.

Prizes will be mailed directly to schools!

NSC Prizes

 Students participating in the National Spanish Challenge will receive the following awards based on the number of points that they earn. Although the information below provides guidance on deciphering student placement on the National Spanish Challenge, the NSE insists that educators await the release of Official Results to proctoring teachers (on or about May 6th) for the most accurate and complete result reports.

 Division A

 Prize

 Points needed

Outstanding Achievement

Bronze Ribbon

75-100

Excellent Achievement

Orange Ribbon

50-74

 Division B

 Prize

 Points needed

 Outstanding Achievement

Silver Ribbon

110-150

 Excellent Achievement

Purple Ribbon

75-109

 Division C

 Prize

 Points needed

 Outstanding Achievement

Gold Ribbon

185-250

 Excellent Achievement

Blue Ribbon

125-184

 Division D

 Prize

 Points needed

 Outstanding Achievement

Silver Ribbon

170-225

 Excellent Achievement

Purple Ribbon

110-169

 Division E

 Prize

 Points needed

 Outstanding Achievement

Gold Ribbon

185-250

 Excellent Achievement

Blue Ribbon

125-184

 

 

Certificates

 The NSE has provided a Certificate of Recognition for outstanding achievements on the National Spanish Challenge. Teachers can recognize and celebrate student's achievements by printing off certificates.