2008 English Contest Is A Useful And Interesting Playground For Children.

That is an activity in the frame of talent cultivation project of the program aimed at training, fostering gifted children, which belongs to the human resources training project to serve development of Dong Nai's economy and society in the 2006-2010-2020 period. The contest was co-organized by the Children’s House, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education and Training. The contest attracted 120 contestants coming from 11 districts, towns, and Bien Hoa city. Contestants competing in rounds including objective test, quizzes for fun, public speaking with common topics such as family, school, fatherland, country) via four English skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing.

Contestants competing in the semi-final round of the Children’s English Contest.

The contest has three rounds, the first round: objective test, the second round: quiz for fun, the third one: ranking final test. The contest is hotter after each competition. Although this was a game show, most of contestants were well-prepared in term of knowledge. The final round has 12 contestants with the highest score in the second round. 6 of them are of secondary school level and 6 of them are of primary school level.

Contestants passed tests of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The public speaking part is rather difficult for contestants, especially for contestants of secondary school level, because they have to present topics drawn lots by themselves. Besides, to test contestants’ professional skill and select the most deserving ones, the judges have repeatedly asked them concerning questions. However,  after some minutes of embarrassment, most of contestants were self-confident to answer given questions and situations . Almost all contestants have thought that the contest is a chance to meet, learn, make new friends. Therefore, they didn’t think much about winning or losing. Nguyen Hoang Son from Thong Nhat district confidently said, “ I tried my best in the contest. So however the result is, I am satisfied with that”.

Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu of Secondary School level receives the first prize.

After the contest ended, Dinh Bui My Linh said that her success was thanks to my communication with my father at home. “ My family prepared enough equipments to facilitate my English learning such as computer, cassette player, books, notebooks,” added she. In school, she also participated in extracurricular activities. Nguyen Ngoc Anh Thu also said that addition to good condition to communicate with relatives often ( her father used to study abroad) she read a lot of kinds of books and watched television programs in English to learn more.

Perhaps, this contest is useful and interesting playground. Because via this competition, children could improve skills of using and making familiar with English testing formats.

Contestants of primary school level won high prizes.

 According to Pham Gia Hai, deputy-director of Department of Science and Technology, one member of the organization board, the contest is a chance for students to learn English and at the same time enjoy themselves in summer holiday after one year of hard study.

 “ I felt happy when I realized effort and enthusiasm of contestants. Some from Dinh Quan district, Tan Phu district also tried to attend and gain good results. I hope that they will continue to bring their ability into full play. The contest will select some contestants of secondary school level to join extracurricular English class. The aim of the class is to help them get TOEFL IBT with over 60 points after two or three years and to create favorable conditions for them to get international standard English and have a chance to apply for scholarship to study oversea,” said he.

Answering contestants and their family’s queries about effective English learning experience, Tim Carson, a lecturer of Vietnamese American Society, a judge said, “ Learning foreign languages is not simply learning to communicate by that language. It also is studying other culture. English is a popular language all over the world. Therefore, learning English seriously can give you a lot of opportunity to meet a lot of friends in the world. Your effort is valuable for not only yourselves but also community”. He said that he felt impressed by contestants’ presentation and introduction about themselves. 

Although ended, the contest still left a lot of feelings. We hope that students will continue to bring their ability into full play, make more achievements and the contest will be their luggage for a bright future.

Reported by Nguyen Le, translated by Hoai Thu.