On May 25, the final of the 29th China Daily "21st Century Cup" National English Speaking Competition (Beijing, College Group) was held. Mao Shangyong, a 2023 undergraduate majoring in Translation and Interpreting from the School of Foreign Languages, stood out from all competitors with his excellent performance in the prepared speech, impromptu speech, and Q&A sessions, won the first prize, and got qualified for the national final. Zhao Wenjie, also a 2023 undergraduate majoring inTranslation and Interpreting from the School of Foreign Languages, won the second prize. Their instructors are Prof. Li Meng and Prof. Liu Weiwei from the School of Foreign Languages.
The competition was initiated by China Daily in 1996, and was selected into the competition catalog of Analysis Report of National College Students Competition in 2023. Tens of thousands of candidates from universities across the nation signed up for the competition this year. After selection, more than 500 outstanding participants from over 30 regions across the country stood out and competed in the regional finals on behalf of their universities.
The In-School Selection Competition of Beihang University was hosted by the School of Foreign Languages. After two rounds of online evaluation and offline competition, Mao Shangyong and Zhao Wenjie attained the qualification for Beijing Competition. The School has organized a team of experienced teachers to help polish their speeches, and conducted multiple rehearsals for impromptu speech and Q&A sessions.
The School of Foreign Languages has always been encouraging students to actively participate in various language and cross-cultural competitions and providing instructions for them. The excellent results achieved in this competition fully demonstrate the fruitful achievements made by the School in the cultivation of foreign language talents, and also the positive significance of "promoting learning and teaching through competition" to the development of education.
Written by: Xu Guohong
Reviewed by: Xiao Hong
Edited by: Jia Aiping
Translated by: Zhang Anqi
