On June 8, the Shaanxi final of the 30th China Daily “21st Century Cup” National English Speaking Competition was successfully held at Mingde Institute of Technology. Chen Ke (translation major, Class of 2023) and Huo Xinyue (English major, Class of 2022), from our School of English Language and Culture, stood out with their solid language skills, quick thinking, and confident delivery, awarded second prize and third prize in this provincial-level competition respectively. Chen Ke will advance to the national semifinals in October alongside Xu Ziqing (English major, Class of 2023) who had already qualified earlier. This marks the largest number of contestants from our university ever to reach the national stage.

The Shaanxi final was a grand event, bringing together 35 outstanding English speaking enthusiasts from universities across the province, including Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwest University, and Chang’an University, each showcasing their unique talents. Centered on the theme “Living Within and Beyond the 21st Century”, the competition consisted of three key segments: prepared speech, impromptu speech, and live Q&A, comprehensively evaluating participants’ English proficiency and critical thinking skills.

The leaders and teachers at all levels from the Academic Affairs Office of our university and the School of English Language and Culture provided strong support and encouragement for this competition. Starting in March, instructors Li Yan and Li Jia carefully guided the contestants, overseeing the entire process from refining the content to enhancing their skills. They demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and professional competence, offering assistance for the two students’ preparation.

In recent years, the School of English Language and Culture has consistently adhered to the principle of “promoting learning and teaching through competitions”. Notably, the Workshop of English Language Practices has played a pivotal role in facilitating students’ growth in disciplinary competitions by providing targeted guidance and systematic training. Let us look forward to Chen Ke and Xu Ziqing continuing to shine on the national stage, bringing further glory to XFU!

Edited by : Li Yan, Li Jia