On May 19, the second “FLTRP Erudition” Cup English Recitation and Writing Contents took place at the Xiamen University of Technology (XUT). Jointly organized by XUT, CFLC and the Foreign Languages Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP), the competitions attracted 94 contestants from 20 universities in Fujian, including Xiamen University, Fuzhou University, Fujian Normal University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Huaqiao University, Jimei University, and XUT. 

CFLC students Du Xueyang and Wan Zishaneventually won the first prize and Zhao Yufeiclaimed the third prize in the recitation competition. Huang Qinbing, Zhang Junlin and Sun Ruoyangbrought home the first, second and third prizes respectively, in the writing competition. The impressive performance of CFLC students in the competitions demonstrated the quality of teaching and research at CFLC.

At the opening ceremony, XUT President Prof. Zhu Wenzhang delivered a speech in which he stressed the importance of English speaking and writing skills and called on students to lay a solid foundation in the development of their English skills.

FLTRP editor-in-chief Xu Jianzhong also addressed the students. He said that the competitions would put contestants’ language skills to the test and pointed out some of the most prestigious universities in China are now offering courses on communicative competence in English.

The recitation contest consisted of two parts: onstage recitation and impromptu speech. Contestants first recited extracts from classics by Shakespeare, Yeats, Whitman and other great British and American literary luminaries; they then each gave an impromptu speech which tested their wording, fluency, critical thought and adaptability. They also responded to questions from the jury.

（外文学院万子珊比赛现场）

（外文学院赵予菲比赛现场）