Mandarin Enthusiasts Shine at the 16th "China and Me" Speech Contest

The Si Yuan Centre buzzed with energy and excitement as 13 enthusiastic Mandarin learners from the Nottingham Confucius Institute (NCI) and the University of Nottingham showcased their language skills and other talents at the 16th “China and Me” Mandarin Speech Contest. The event, organised by NCI, welcomed an audience of over 40 spectators, including friends and family members of the contestants.

Since its launch in 2009, the “China and Me” Speech Contest has become a highlight of the academic calendar, offering Mandarin learners a dynamic platform to demonstrate their linguistic skills, creativity, and cultural understanding.

The contest was divided into two levels: intermediate and advanced. Each participant delivered a three-minute speech, with some opting to include a talent show-style performance. Advanced-level contestants faced the additional challenge of responding to questions from judges, making this category especially competitive.

Contestants touched upon a wide range of fascinating topics during their speeches, including Chinese philosophy, traditions, and their personal journeys learning Mandarin and traveling in China. Adding to the excitement, participants impressed the audience with cultural performances, featuring Chinese pop songs such as “Mo Wen Gui Qi” and “Ni Xiao Qi Lai Zhen Hao Kan,” traditional Chinese fan dances, as well as displays of Chinese painting, calligraphy and Tai Chi. The audience responded with warm applause and encouragement throughout the event.

The winners of the 16th “China and Me” Speech Contest are:
Advanced Level: Mani Jones, Matthew Terry and Leah McAloon
Intermediate Level: Emily Gulley; Sarah England-Amoo and Nadata Samb

NCI would like to congratulate all participants on their hard work and exceptional performances. It also extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the event’s success: NCI staff, volunteers and judges from Nottingham’s School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies.

A special thank you goes to the 12 volunteer helpers from the MA in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages (TCSOL) programme. These dedicated individuals provided invaluable one-to-one language coaching to contestants in the lead-up to the competition.

To get a glimpse of the event highlights, visit our Instagram. 

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诺丁汉大学孔子学院第16届“中国与我”中文演讲比赛圆满结束

2024年11月16日下午，诺丁汉大学孔子学院成功举办了第16届“中国与我”中文演讲比赛。本次比赛共有13名选手参加，其中10名为中级组选手，3名为高级组选手。比赛由孔院教师张婧和孔院学员李诗灵共同主持。诺丁汉大学孔子学院高级汉语教师徐来博士、郑露菲老师，语言中心汉语教师王乃霞博士、郭岚博士担任本次比赛评委。

赛前，诺丁汉大学孔子学院高级汉语教师徐来代表孔院对到场的评委、选手和观众朋友表示欢迎，并预祝比赛取得圆满成功。

比赛现场，来自不同背景的13名选手齐聚一堂，以汉语为媒，讲述了他们与中国的生动故事。有的选手分享了自己在中国的所见所闻和成长经历，幽默风趣的语言让现场充满了欢声笑语；有的选手则从中国电视剧、中国魔方比赛等独特的视角切入，将自己对于中国文化的热爱娓娓道来；还有的选手深入浅出地解释了道家思想与古老寓言，并探讨了这些思想如何应用于现代生活，带领观众进入了一个哲学的殿堂......从跨文化交流趣事到坚不可摧的中外友谊，从共同爱好到哲学思想，每个故事都充满了对中国的热爱和对汉语的执着追求。

除此之外，选手们的才艺展示环节更是将比赛推向了高潮。选手们身怀绝技，各展其才。Mani Jones的歌曲表演《你笑起来真好看》节奏欢快，歌声优美，愉悦的气氛瞬间感染了在场的每一位观众；Ngoc Tran带来的中国古典扇子舞行云流水，舞姿优雅而充满力量，每一个转身和挥扇都展现独特的东方韵味；Nadata Samb演唱的歌曲《莫问归期》旋律悠扬而深情，触动了每一个人的心弦；Emily Gulley的太极表演更是柔中带刚，动静结合，每一个动作都充满了和谐与平衡；Larissa Matheus则在现场为我们绘制了中国山水画，笔触细腻而有力，让人仿佛置身于山水之间；Sarah England-Amoo通过歌曲《对不起我的中文不好！》，以幽默诙谐方式，展现了学习中文过程中的趣事和挑战，引得现场观众笑声连连。

经过激烈角逐，中级组的Emily Gulley、Sarah England-Amoo和Nadata Samb分别获得该组的一、二、三等奖。高级组的Mani jones、Matthew terry、 Leah McAloon分别获得该组的一、二、三等奖。

最后，孔院经理张华老师还为参加本次活动的12名志愿者辅导老师颁发了志愿者证书并送上了精美的纪念品，感谢他们对各位参赛选手的悉心指导与辛勤付出。

汉语为桥，天下一家！诺丁汉大学孔子学院本次“中国与我”此次演讲比赛的成功举办不仅为各位中文学习者提供了一个宝贵的中文交流的平台，也进一步激发了学生学习中文和了解中国文化的热情和动力，让更多的外国朋友了解中国，爱上中国。

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