Youngsters say the platform makes their voices heard and connects them with more peers
University category winner Ma Hiu-chun shows off her English-speaking skills during the competition. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
The “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition (Hong Kong region) drew a record number of participants this year, with 12 students set to represent the special administrative region in the national English-speaking contest.
The regional final was held at The Peninsula Hong Kong on Sunday, organized by China Daily Hong Kong and its education brand VDO English — a one-stop shop platform dedicated to making English learning engaging and fun.
Aiden Connor Teng from South Island School and Charlotte Tan Shi-le from Diocesan Girls’ School won the top prizes in the junior and senior secondary school categories, respectively.
Senior secondary category champion Charlotte Tan Shi-le delivers her speech in the Hong Kong regional contest finale of the “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition at The Peninsula Hong Kong on Sunday. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
Li Lin-mo from Fukien Secondary School Affiliated School and Wong Ka-hin from S.K.H. St. Peter’s Primary School were the winners in the junior and senior primary school categories. The top prize in the university category went to Ma Hiu-chun from the University of Hong Kong.
The five students, together with seven other winners, will represent Hong Kong in the National Grand Final to be held this year, one that marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, to compete with the regional champions from more than 200 divisions nationwide.
“The ‘21st Century Cup’ National English Speaking Competition witnessed passionate and energetic presentations and very high standards of performance from students in each category,” said Luana Hasell, regional NET coordinator of the NET Section of the Education Bureau.
Contestants wait for their turn to speak. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
It was a superb chance to showcase the students’ mastery of English, and provided them with valuable experience in speaking English, Hasell said.
Some of the students narrated their own stories during the competition, making their presentations engaging and impressive, which is a great presentation technique, she said.
“The presentations by all the participants were fantastic,” said Margaret Leung, chairman of the executive committee of the English Speaking Union Hong Kong.
Junior secondary school category contestants pose for a group photo. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
“I hope the students can take this competition as a platform to learn how to make their presentations better. I look forward to seeing them do even better in the national finals,” Leung said.
The panel of judges comprised professionals from various institutions, including the Education Bureau, the English Speaking Union Hong Kong, the Hong Kong United Youth Association, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Toastmasters Club.
Liu Weiling (fourth from right), deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily and executive editor-in-chief of China Daily Hong Kong, poses for a photo with the panel of judges in the Hong Kong regional competition. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
Inspiration to students
“The ‘21st Century Cup’ competition has been a part of my student life and has helped me to become a better human being,” said Ma, who is taking part in the competition for the fourth year since she was at senior secondary level.
Ma said she feels better connected to her peers by expressing their views on national and world issues.
Cheung Hei-ching from Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Secondary School, who finished second in the senior secondary school category, said she’s glad to have had the chance to share her thoughts with other people and let the world hear her voice.
“Although the competition is challenging, it’s a precious opportunity for me to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone,” she said.
Judges listen intently to contestants, and assess their performance. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
The competition is fun and exciting and is a great platform that allows contestants to get up on stage and speak their minds, according to Leanne Kwan Hei-yi, a contestant in the junior secondary school category from St. Paul’s Co-educational College.
“I hope there are more opportunities like the ‘21st Century Cup’ competition to express ourselves and make the world a better place in the future,” Kwan said.
The “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition was established in 1996. It aims to improve students’ English speaking ability and cultivate a pioneering and innovative spirit among students.
It has a range of divisions in major cities in China. The total number of participants every year exceeds 2 million, making it one of the largest-scale English-speaking events in the country. It also serves as an annual qualifier for the International Public Speaking Competition in London, with the winner representing China.
University category’s 2nd runner-up Cheung Hei-yin interacts with the judges during his speech. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)
In 2017, the “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition (Hong Kong region) was officially opened, providing a stage for local students to demonstrate their English proficiency. It also established a platform for youth exchanges between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.
“This competition offers a professional stage for Hong Kong youth to express their thoughts and ideas in English,” said Judy Tam, deputy English panel head for Pentecostal Lam Hon Kwong School.
This is the fifth year in a row that her students have joined the Hong Kong regional final, Tam said.
This year’s Hong Kong competition saw a record number of participants, attracting more than 1,000 students from universities, as well as from primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.
The event was supported by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR, the English Speaking Union Hong Kong, the British Council, the Hong Kong United Youth Association, and the Seeding’s Culture Youth Exchange Centre. It was also sponsored by the Towngas, Lu and Marisa Charitable Foundation, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Fly High Foundation, and the Ocean Park Hong Kong.
