Imagine Shakira and Juanes on American Idol and you’ll understand the third annual “English Song Festival”.
Forget talk-along audio tapes and classroom conversations —
Colombians will step to the microphone to improve their English in the
coming weeks during the third annual “English Song Festival.”
Taking a cue from crossover Colombian pop star Shakira, contestants
will have to flex both their musical ability and English aptitude to
triumph, reported El Heraldo.
“What we want is that the young take English seriously and consider
it a second tongue,” said Maria Ines Arteta, executive director of
Allies Foundation, which is putting on the event.
The American Idol-like contest will kick off with elimination rounds
in Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena and three Atlantic coast
municipalities on September 15. The final round will take place at the
Teatro José Consuegra Higgins on October 13. Applications closed Tuesday.