Group photo of The Award Ceremony of The Macao-wide English Speech Contest.
The 17th Macao-wide English Speech Contest and 24th “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition Macao Regional Contest took place on Saturday-Sunday, 10th-11th November 2018.
The Macao-wide English Speech Contest was established in 2002, its purpose being to promote the use of English in Macao in the era of globalisation, to encourage people from all walks of life to learn English, and to promote English language teaching.
The Contest is organised by the Macao Polytechnic Institute, and co-organised by:
Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau
Tertiary Education Services Office
Education and Youth Affairs Bureau
The British Council (Hong Kong)
Bell Educational Services Ltd., Cambridge (UK)
Macao Daily News
The 21st Century China Daily
The Chinese Educators’ Association of Macau
Macau Catholic Schools Association (Associação das Escolas Católicas de Macau)
TDM - Teledifusão de Macau S.A.
and Macao Youth Federation.
Guests of Honour at the awarding ceremony included:
Mr. Zheng Xinyou, Director of the Department of Public Diplomacy and Information of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R.
Dr. Lei Ngan Lin, Vice - President of Macao Polytechnic Institute
Ms. Pauline Leong, Head of Civil Service Training Centre of Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau
Mr. Vong Iat Hang, Head of Division of Research and Education Reform, Education and Youth Affairs Bureau
Mr. Lok Pou Wa, Assistant Chief Editor of Macao Daily News
Mr. Cheang Hong Kuong, Deputy Chairman of Administrative Board and Secretary-General of the Chinese Educators’ Association of Macau
Mr. João Francisco Pinto, Controller of Portuguese News and Programmes Division of TDM
Prof. Lin Ziyu, Executive Chairman of MPI Organizing committee for The 17th Macao-wide English Speech Contest & 24th “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition Macao Regional Contest
Ever since the 4th Macao-wide English Speech Contest in 2005, the Contest has enjoyed a nationwide affiliation with China Daily’s “21st Century” National English Speaking Competition and, over the years, many winners of the Macao-wide English Speech Contest have advanced to compete in the national English speaking competition. The opportunity to participate in the national competition has been extended to the winners from each of the Lower Primary, Upper Primary, Junior High School and Senior High School categories and up to 3 winners of the College Category. In recent years, the Contest winners have also been sent to join the finals of the CCTV Cup (now the FLTRP Cup) National English Speaking Contest.
We are privileged to hear the young generation express their views on topics that are of vital concern to society, this year the overall theme of the 17th Macao-wide English Speech Contest being “NATURE”. Under this theme, the subtopics for the different categories were: “Climate Change” (for the College and Open Categories), “Science and Nature” (for the Senior High School Category), “Saving Animals” (for the Junior High School Category), “The Most Unusual Animal or Plant” for the Upper Primary School Category and “My Favourite Animal” for the Lower Primary School Category. The final round of the Contest included a total of 66 contestants, these having been selected from among 171 contestants who participated in the semifinal round on 14th October 2018. They are wonderful examples of the quality of education enjoyed by young people in Macao.
As educators in Macao, we know that the younger generation will play a leading role in the world of tomorrow. The Contest allows students to think deeply and express their concerns about our changing world. From the youngest contestants who researched the wonderful animal and plant world, to the older contestants who discussed the problems of environmental pollution, climate change, extinction, and sustainable management, all of the students employed their excellent communication skills. It is our sincere hope that the Macao-wide English Speech Contest can encourage our students not only to develop their English skills, but also their critical thinking, so as to foster their all-round development and prepare them to serve society in the future.
Each year, the Macao-wide English Speech Contest has adopted a different theme. Over the years, the contestants have explored various issues of concern to society. We look forward to many future contests and more exciting new topics. Congratulations to all the award winners and contestants! The great efforts of all the contestants and the wholehearted support of their schools, teachers, families and friends are greatly appreciated!
More details about the annual Macao-wide English Speech Contest, including videos of past Contests, can be found on the website: http://speechcontest.ipm.edu.mo/