3rd Putonghua Speech Competition
In her closing remark at the 3rd Putonghua Speech Competition organized by YMCA of Hong Kong Christian College (YHKCC) on Saturday, 12th April, Dr. Alice Yuk, JP, School Supervisor, said, “It is widely known that Putonghua is becoming a more dominant and an important world language. Putonghua proficiency is seen as a prerequisite for our children as future global citizens. By integrating the study of Chinese culture into the curriculum, our students are able to understand and respect the local community and the Chinese culture.”
Ross Lupton is a Scottish boy growing up in Hong Kong since he was one. He is sixteen now, studying in YHKCC where there is 70% Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) students coming from over 40 different countries and speaking eighteen languages. He has studied Chinese in YHKCC for five years and has a Chinese name, Xisi LE. He is one of the MCs in the competition.
“Learning Chinese is important for me to understand the local community. And it is also important for my future, for entering universities and even finding jobs in Hong Kong,” said Ross. Ross has already sat for the Chinese GCE AS Level Examination after studying in YHKCC for 5 years, and he has achieved A in the exam.
With a large percentage of NCS students in the school, YHKCC has put a lot of effort in supporting their learning of Chinese language, including a tailor-made foundation curriculum and the Summer Bridging Course to all Form One new comers. The school has also developed the school-based teaching materials in different levels for the Elementary Chinese curriculum and implemented Chinese and Hong Kong culture into the Chinese Language curriculum. A Chinese culture and language learning environment has always been in the school. Students are also encouraged to join out-of-class and inter-school activities, such as the 3rd Putonghua Speech Competition.
With the funding by the Quality Education Fund, the 3rd Putonghua Speech Competition was co-organized by YHKCC and CACLER, Faculty of Education of the University of Hong Kong. It has attracted 18 secondary schools to showcase their students’ talents. Schools include YHKCC, Buddhist Fat Ho Memorial College, Cheung Chau Government School, Chung Sing Benevolent Society Mrs. AW Boon Haw Secondary School, Creative Secondary School, Delia Memorial School (Broadway), HKMA Chu Shek Lin Secondary School, HKMA David Li Kwok Po College, King George V School, La Salle College, Ling Liang Church E Wun Secondary School, Lutheran Academy, Rosaryhill School (Secondary Section), Singapore International School (Hong Kong), Sir Ellis Kadoorie Secondary School (West Kolwoon), St. Margaret’s Co-educational English Secondary School and St. Paul’s Convent School (Secondary Section) and Victoria Shanghai Academy. Over eighty students lit up the stage by delivering their oratorical and eloquent speaking skills. Jason Lam of La Salle College, Chiong Caparas of St. Paul’s Convent School (Secondary Section) and St. Paul’s Convent School (Secondary Section) won the champion in Solo Verse (Junior Forms), Solo Verse (Senior Forms) and Choral Speaking respectively. Jin Woo Park and Dae Woong Jun of YHKCC won the 2ndRunner-up in Solo Verse (Senior Forms) and Best Performing Award (Senior Forms, Solo Verse).
“I was very proud of the students. Fluent Chinese is not the guarantee for a bright future, but it is a basic communication skill helping the NCS students to immerse in the local community. The competition is to enrich and showcase what the NCS students have learned in their Chinese lessons. This also gives them an opportunity to share their learning experience with other students, as well as to promote racial harmony within the school community. Our NCS students are provided with assistance to adapt to the local community by joining outside school activities arranged by some local organizations to help them to explore and understand the local culture.” said Mr. Dion Chen, Principal of YHKCC.
For more photos, please check out: http://www.ymcacc.edu.hk/en/gallery/school_album/index.php
