Student writing competitions such as the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition and the Voices of Future Generations Arabia Creative Writing Competition focus on nurturing the writers of tomorrow
In the age of TikTok virality and AI ubiquity, students are faced with unprecedented access to different technologies and communication channels. Among all these rapid shifts, how can educators support young people in developing timelessly transferable set of core skills that they will be able to draw on long into their futures. Let’s look at what resources the Emirates Literature Foundation (ELF) offers for students of all ages, abilities and interests.
Student writing competitions such as the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition and the Voices of Future Generations Arabia Creative Writing Competition focus on nurturing the writers of tomorrow by asking them to craft short stories inspired by a theme or even the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals.
Express their thoughts and feelings about it while also showcasing excellent penmanship
Similarly, the Foundation’s Letter Writing Competition ask students to draft letters encouraging them not just to consider a subject in depth, but to express their thoughts and feelings about it while also showcasing excellent penmanship.
For extroverted students, the Emirates NBD Poetry For All Competition offers the spotlight to perform poems in front of an audience
For more extroverted students who love the limelight, the Emirates NBD Poetry For All Competition gives them a chance to get up on stage and give their all as they perform a poem from the ELF-curated selection, with Arabic-speaking students being offered a choice of classical or more traditional, Nabati poetry.
The Al Futtaim Digital Storytelling Competition empowers young Arab filmmakers to script, shoot, and edit short videos
In keeping with ELF’s belief that stories can be shared in any medium, the Al Futtaim Digital Storytelling Competition is targeted at young Arab film buffs. Students must work in teams to script, shoot, and edit short videos centred around books.
For younger students, there’s the Arcadia Book in A Box Competition
But that’s not the only competition that centres on teamwork and co-operation. Students taking part in the Chevron Readers’ Cup may work together in teams of up to four members as they closely read the pre-selected books and then answer questions based on them. For younger students, there’s the Arcadia Book in A Box Competition which allows a class of students to work together to build a book-inspired diorama using recycled materials.
Schools are also invited to “bid” for a Festival author to visit their school
Of course, it’s not just about giving students the tools they need to succeed. It’s also about encouraging their interests and addressing topics they care deeply about. That’s the driving motivation behind the in-person Education Programme at the Emirates LitFest each year. Not only do visiting authors give talks about a variety of topics at the festival venue but schools are also invited to “bid” for a Festival author to visit their school and do their talk for a wider audience.
Boosting the young performers’ confidence
For students whose skills might lie in the performing arts, schools may apply for a slot on the LitFest Fringe Stage. This allows them to showcase their students’ talents in front of a wide, international audience of Festival attendees, boosting the young performers’ confidence.
So, while technology remains an unavoidable fact of life, ELF emphasises skills that can be adapted and amplified, leaving students more than equipped for the world of tomorrow.