The 2022 Guangdong Yanxing Cup College English Competition, a provincial English competition, was brought to a successful close on November 26.

The competition was sponsored by the Guangdong Undergraduate College English Teaching Advisory Committee, the South China University of Technology, and the Beijing Yan Xing Education International,

More than 4,500 undergraduate students from 20 universities in Guangdong province participated in the preliminary contest. A total of 63 undergraduate students from the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) took part in the preliminary computer-based round in October 2022.

The competition was composed of listening, reading, and writing sections. All of the test venues on campus were subject to a standardized network monitored by the competition committee, and the committee set all test questions.

In accordance with the Yanxing Cup College English Competition guidelines, the top two winners represented SUSTech in the semifinal stage. With the efforts of both the contestants and instructors from the Center for Language Education (CLE) at the University, and through two rounds of intense competitions, the two contestants from SUSTech claimed the two grand prizes in the final.

Computer-based preliminary contest on campus

In the semifinal, undergraduate students Sitong CHEN and Qiwen XIAO respectively delivered a three-minute prepared speech in prerecorded videos. To support them with the speech, the CLE instructors helped with their scripts regarding the content, structure, and language.

When their scripts were ready, they did rehearsals and prerecording together with the CLE instructors in the MOOC studio on campus. Their public speaking skills, including delivery and language skills, were greatly improved.

They were placed 2^nd and 3^rd in the semifinal among 40 contestants from different universities around Guangdong province.

Qiwen XIAO & Sitong CHEN prerecording their prepared speeches in the MOOC studio for the semifinal

The two undergraduates represented SUSTech and competed online with the other eight semifinal winners. They delivered impromptu speaking followed by a question and answer session.

Though pressed for preparation time, the contestants and the CLE instructors promptly got their ideas into shape, rehearsed, and brainstormed together in better preparation for the final.

Sitong CHEN & Qiwen XIAO giving impromptu speeches online in the final

The CLE offers full support to its students in various competitions and activities. The Yanxing Cup provided SUSTech students with a platform to showcase their English language skills, cross-cultural competence, and critical thinking skills.

In preparation for different competitions, SUSTech students have accumulated valuable experience and sharpened their skills. The CLE will remain committed to the all-around development of SUSTechers’ language and study competence.