Competition boosts junior high school students' oral English

A junior high school student from Guiyang expresses her point of view during the finals of the China Daily 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The finals of the China Daily 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition for junior high students were held in Guiyang city, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on July 3. 

About 30 contestants delivered speeches at the finals of the 20th edition of the competition, themed on "What I believe in".

It was the first time Chen Ziling, a student from Guiyang No 18 Middle School, participated. She thought that it was a great challenge for first-time contestants to deliver impromptu speeches and answer questions from the judges.

The contestants who entered the finals all had good English-speaking skills and could reflect their own values during speeches, according to one of the judges.

The judge believed the competition could help the general English skills of Guiyang students and help them realize their goals on a broader stage.

The competition was initiated by China Daily in 1996, aiming to develop the ability of teenagers to express themselves in the public and improve their general comprehension. It also aims to improve the cross-cultural communications ability of China's teenagers.

The competition is the only trial competition in China for the International Public Speaking Competition, which is held in London every May. The winners will represent China and tell the stories of China on the international stage.