The 22nd FLTRP Cup National English Competition for Schools recently concluded in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, showcasing the linguistic talent, critical thinking and cultural awareness of outstanding students from across the country. Among the standout competitors was a delegation from Macau Saint Paul School.
According to the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP), the competition aims to comprehensively develop students’ language competence, critical thinking, communication skills and cultural literacy. The contest also places strong emphasis on students’ understanding of Chinese thought, cultural heritage and international perspectives, while maintaining a high level of academic rigour.
On June 11, the Post interviewed the participating teachers and students on the school campus to reflect on their journey and achievements.
Ieong Weng Kei, director of Academic Affairs of the school, expressed great pride and gratitude in seeing the students represent Macau and the school “shining” on a national stage. She noted that the participating students already had a strong foundation in English and a genuine passion for language learning, while their growth throughout the competition was also made possible by the collective dedication of the school’s teaching team.
Ieong praised the guidance team, many of whom are young teachers, for their professionalism, commitment and close support of the students. Through regular after-school training sessions, mock practices and continuous feedback, teachers and students worked closely together in a spirit of mutual encouragement. She described the process as a meaningful example of “teaching and learning, as well as enriching one another.” To support the students’ participation, the school also provided comprehensive administrative and financial assistance, including travel and accommodation arrangements for the trip via Hong Kong to Wuxi, which lies some 1,240 km by air northeast of Macau
Student Lei Ka Hou, who won “First Prize” in the competition, recalled that the thematic Q&A round was one of the most challenging parts of the contest. Questions covered a wide range of contemporary national topics and current affairs, including the nation’s emerging “low-altitude economy”, the socio-economic impact of football on urban development, and modern technological trends.
Lei said that many of these topics were new to him at first, but with the support and guidance of his teachers, he gradually learnt how to organise his ideas more logically, express his views more clearly and present persuasive arguments before the judging panel. He also observed that top contestants from the Chinese mainland were particularly strong in citing diverse examples and structuring focused arguments - qualities he hopes to further develop in his own future presentations.
Fellow student Wong I Kio highlighted the intense pressure of the impromptu speaking section, where contestants had to come up with a topic on the spot and immediately deliver a focused response. She said that this section tested not only language fluency, but also contestants’ awareness of current affairs, logical thinking and ability to respond under pressure. As a science-stream student, Wong admitted that learning to build structured arguments at the beginning was demanding, but ultimately highly rewarding.
Reflecting on the learning experience, Wong noted that Macau students benefit from a unique multilingual environment. At the same time, she came to realise that English learning extends far beyond textbooks. Through preparation for the competition, she was exposed to a broader range of cultural, social and national issues, which helped her understand that language learning can be closely connected with cultural literacy, moral reflection and social awareness.
The core themes of this year’s competition revolved around traditional Chinese philosophy, specifically the classical adages “The benevolent person is invincible” (仁者無敵) and “Opportune time, geographic advantage, unity of the people” (天時地利人和).
Kou Pui Ieng, head of the school’s English Panel, explained that English teaching in the past tended to focus more heavily on language skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In recent years, however, the English Panel has placed increasing emphasis on integrating moral education, cultural understanding and values education into language learning, she said.
Kou said that concepts such as kindness, empathy, responsibility and respect are already important parts of the school’s whole-person education. These values can also be meaningfully connected with Chinese cultural thought and classical wisdom. Looking ahead, the English Panel hopes to incorporate more elements of Chinese cultural literacy into curriculum design, enabling students not only to learn English well, but also to express Chinese stories, values and perspectives confidently in English.
English subject teacher Leung Kwok Wai added that the five-month preparation journey - from the preliminary round in Macau and regional final in Hong Kong to the national final in Wuxi - demonstrated the students’ resilience, perseverance and willingness to challenge themselves. He said the competition provided a valuable platform for Macau students to use English as a bridge for cultural exchange, while also advancing the school’s philosophy of whole-person education.
Ultimately, the experience allowed students to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and national development, and strengthen their confidence in using English in authentic, high-level communication, Leung said, adding that the school hopes to continue nurturing students through its English Society, English enhancement programmes and external competition platforms, giving students more opportunities to develop their talents and contribute to intercultural exchange.
Macau Saint Paul School students Lei Ka Hou (second from left), Wong I Kio (second from right), the school’s English Panel head Kou Pui Ieng (left) and teacher Leung Kwok Wai pose recently at the 22nd FLTRP Cup National English Competition venue in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province. – Photos courtesy of Macau Saint Paul School
