National Sun Yat-Sen University
National Sun Yat-Sen University
12/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2024 10:06
NSYSU and AIT Co host High School English Speaking Contest, Highlighting AI in Strengthening U.S. Taiwan Collaboration
2024-12-19
(Provided by the Office of International Affairs) The hottest trend, Artificial Intelligence (AI), is now enhancing U.S.-Taiwan collaboration! National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch Office jointly organized a nationwide high school English public speaking contest 2024 Future Talk Challenge under the theme, "How AI Can Foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration." The competition showcased innovative applications of AI and promoted international perspectives. The preliminary round attracted 78 high school teams from across Taiwan, with experts selecting 15 individual and 15 group contestants to compete in the finals. Finalists gave it their all, aiming for top honors. Ultimately, Taipei Digital Experimental High School student Catherine Tai claimed the individual championship, while Tsai Yu-Shan and Luo Pin-Han from National Nanke International Experimental High School triumphed in the group category.
Since 2013, NSYSU and AIT have jointly hosted English competitions for Taiwanese high school students. In 2023, the event evolved into a contest focusing on English public speaking and presentation skills, encouraging students to showcase creativity, articulate ideas, and demonstrate poise. This year's theme, "How AI Can Foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration," featured six subtopics: AI in Education: Making Learning Fun and Effective, Smart Cities: How AI Can Improve Our Daily Lives, AI in Healthcare: Better Treatments and Healthier Lives, Environmental Protection: Using AI to Save the Planet, AI and Entertainment: Creating New Experiences, and Managing the Risks and Pitfalls of AI. Contestants had to excel through rigorous rounds to reach the finals, where competition was intense.
In the preliminary round, participants chose a subtopic and created a one-minute video presentation. Judges evaluated language skills, content quality, and presentation style to select 15 individual and 15 group finalists. AIT invited English Language Fellow from the U.S. Department of State to conduct a training workshop for the finalists, covering public speaking techniques and impromptu presentation training. Through interactive activities, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants enhanced their English fluency and stage presence. The workshop concluded with a draw to determine the final topics. Only those who passed the preliminary round and attended the workshop were eligible to compete in the finals. The final round required participants to deliver a five-minute oral presentation followed by a two-minute Q&A session, without any supporting materials. Judges assessed pronunciation, vocabulary, intonation, fluency, accuracy, relevance, creativity, structure, teamwork, composure, and overall stage presence for the final rankings.
Neil Gibson, Director of AIT's Kaohsiung Branch Office, shared his own experience participating in speech competitions as a youth during his opening remarks. He emphasized the value of such learning experiences, encouraged students to be confident and enjoy the process, and urged young people to continuously improve their English skills to amplify Taiwan's voice on the global stage.
Before announcing the winners, NSYSU invited two Fulbright English Teaching Fellows from Fulbright Taiwan to share their experiences studying and living in the U.S. They advised students to see AI as a learning aid rather than a substitute for personal effort. During the subsequent awards ceremony, judges commended the participants for their outstanding English proficiency and presentation skills. They also shared tips for handling questions and encouraged students to keep practicing public speaking, highlighting its long-term benefits.
After a seven-hour competition, the individual championship was awarded to Catherine Tai from Taipei Digital Experimental High School, followed by runner-up Chiu Yu-Hsiang from National Nanke International Experimental High School and third-place winner Megan Liu from Kaohsiung American School. Merit Awards went to Chang Tso-Cheng from National Chunan Senior High School and Teng Shang-Yun from Deguang Catholic Senior High School. Honorable mentions were given to Yeh Chin-Wen and Chen Chiao-Mi, both from Catholic Sheng Kung Girls' High School.
In the group category, the championship went to Tsai Yu-Shan and Luo Pin-Han from National Nanke International Experimental High School, with runners-up Mandy Wang and Julia Su from I-Shou International School, and third-place winners Hung Tzu-Hsin and Yu Wen-Tsz from Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School. Merit Awards were awarded to Yeh Tang-Xuan and Ling Hung-Yu from St. Dominic Catholic High School and Nanshan High School students Irena You and Jason Lu. Honorable mentions went to Hung Hsin-Ya and Chen Ya-Fang from Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School and Lin Chin-Tung and Tsao Yi-Tung from Nanshan High School.
(Edited by Public Affairs Division)
(Provided by the Office of International Affairs) The hottest trend, Artificial Intelligence (AI), is now enhancing U.S.-Taiwan collaboration! National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Kaohsiung Branch Office jointly organized a nationwide high school English public speaking contest 2024 Future Talk Challenge under the theme, "How AI Can Foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration." The competition showcased innovative applications of AI and promoted international perspectives. The preliminary round attracted 78 high school teams from across Taiwan, with experts selecting 15 individual and 15 group contestants to compete in the finals. Finalists gave it their all, aiming for top honors. Ultimately, Taipei Digital Experimental High School student Catherine Tai claimed the individual championship, while Tsai Yu-Shan and Luo Pin-Han from National Nanke International Experimental High School triumphed in the group category.
Since 2013, NSYSU and AIT have jointly hosted English competitions for Taiwanese high school students. In 2023, the event evolved into a contest focusing on English public speaking and presentation skills, encouraging students to showcase creativity, articulate ideas, and demonstrate poise. This year's theme, "How AI Can Foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration," featured six subtopics: AI in Education: Making Learning Fun and Effective, Smart Cities: How AI Can Improve Our Daily Lives, AI in Healthcare: Better Treatments and Healthier Lives, Environmental Protection: Using AI to Save the Planet, AI and Entertainment: Creating New Experiences, and Managing the Risks and Pitfalls of AI. Contestants had to excel through rigorous rounds to reach the finals, where competition was intense.
In the preliminary round, participants chose a subtopic and created a one-minute video presentation. Judges evaluated language skills, content quality, and presentation style to select 15 individual and 15 group finalists. AIT invited English Language Fellow from the U.S. Department of State to conduct a training workshop for the finalists, covering public speaking techniques and impromptu presentation training. Through interactive activities, group discussions, and practical exercises, participants enhanced their English fluency and stage presence. The workshop concluded with a draw to determine the final topics. Only those who passed the preliminary round and attended the workshop were eligible to compete in the finals. The final round required participants to deliver a five-minute oral presentation followed by a two-minute Q&A session, without any supporting materials. Judges assessed pronunciation, vocabulary, intonation, fluency, accuracy, relevance, creativity, structure, teamwork, composure, and overall stage presence for the final rankings.
Neil Gibson, Director of AIT's Kaohsiung Branch Office, shared his own experience participating in speech competitions as a youth during his opening remarks. He emphasized the value of such learning experiences, encouraged students to be confident and enjoy the process, and urged young people to continuously improve their English skills to amplify Taiwan's voice on the global stage.
Before announcing the winners, NSYSU invited two Fulbright English Teaching Fellows from Fulbright Taiwan to share their experiences studying and living in the U.S. They advised students to see AI as a learning aid rather than a substitute for personal effort. During the subsequent awards ceremony, judges commended the participants for their outstanding English proficiency and presentation skills. They also shared tips for handling questions and encouraged students to keep practicing public speaking, highlighting its long-term benefits.
After a seven-hour competition, the individual championship was awarded to Catherine Tai from Taipei Digital Experimental High School, followed by runner-up Chiu Yu-Hsiang from National Nanke International Experimental High School and third-place winner Megan Liu from Kaohsiung American School. Merit Awards went to Chang Tso-Cheng from National Chunan Senior High School and Teng Shang-Yun from Deguang Catholic Senior High School. Honorable mentions were given to Yeh Chin-Wen and Chen Chiao-Mi, both from Catholic Sheng Kung Girls' High School.
In the group category, the championship went to Tsai Yu-Shan and Luo Pin-Han from National Nanke International Experimental High School, with runners-up Mandy Wang and Julia Su from I-Shou International School, and third-place winners Hung Tzu-Hsin and Yu Wen-Tsz from Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School. Merit Awards were awarded to Yeh Tang-Xuan and Ling Hung-Yu from St. Dominic Catholic High School and Nanshan High School students Irena You and Jason Lu. Honorable mentions went to Hung Hsin-Ya and Chen Ya-Fang from Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls' Senior High School and Lin Chin-Tung and Tsao Yi-Tung from Nanshan High School.
(Edited by Public Affairs Division)