We created the Japanese Language Decathlon, a cooperative inter-school language project where randomly teamed students from different schools go through a rapid succession of ten varied problem-solving language situations. Both the students and the teachers loved how healthy competition was fostered without the inter-school rivalry. This program lasted for eight years and is today enjoying a rebirth of sorts on the island of Maui, sponsored by the Japanese Consulate of Hawaii. For three years over 200 students from elementary to community college level Japanese language students have gathered for friendly competition in holistic language activities framed as a Language Speaking Contest.