Awarding the first prize of the 1st English Contest for Youth in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 to contestant Phan Quang Truong - Photo: BINH MINH
With the goal of contributing to improving foreign language skills for young people, the contest attracted more than 25,000 contestants to participate in the qualifying round even though it was only two weeks long. Ho Chi Minh City University of Education was the unit with the largest number of contestants participating in this first-time contest.
Opportunity to test knowledge
The 60 semi-finalists participated in hands-on experiences at cultural and historical sites in the city. At each destination, they passed challenges testing their English proficiency, social knowledge, and using English to communicate with foreigners.
This is also an opportunity for you to demonstrate your courage and teamwork ability, as well as to interact, exchange and make friends with people who share the same passion for foreign languages and international integration.
The final round called for the names of the 12 most outstanding faces. They took turns to take a knowledge test, present their ideas, and propose solutions for young people to participate in international integration and exchange of the city and the country as well as develop the city sustainably in line with the United Nations' sustainable development goals.
The two most outstanding contestants, Phan Quang Truong (Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology) and Tran Le Uyen Nhi (Foreign Trade University, Ho Chi Minh City Campus II), entered the debate round to find the champion.
After three rounds of debating, defending his point of view, and refuting his opponent, Phan Quang Truong won first prize in the contest. Truong's arguments, presentation skills, and refuting were assessed as convincing and impressive.
Each of you is a tourism ambassador
Recalling a cultural exchange trip to Singapore with other young people four months ago, Phan Quang Truong said he realized that although languages, cultures and cuisines are different, everyone lives on the same planet and is connected to each other. In particular, culture and language are the two factors that promote the strongest connection.
Coming to the contest, Quang Truong suggested that each student could become a "tourism ambassador" of Ho Chi Minh City, ready to welcome international friends to introduce the beauty of the city in particular and the country in general through each historical site and cultural exchange.
"Social networks are very popular with young people, so we can use social networks to promote the image of Vietnamese people's resilience through war, as well as the image of the conical hat or the ao dai, which are unique cultural features of the country. So that the image of Vietnam can be shared everywhere in the world, in the process of integration and development" - Truong said.
Meanwhile, Tran Le Uyen Nhi emphasized that foreign language, social and technological skills are key factors for international integration and exchange. They are also tools to help young people connect with friends from all over the world, belonging to a larger international community.
"Foreign language and social skills help you communicate effectively, participate in youth dialogues, express ideas and exchange cultures. During the integration process, you also need to preserve the unique cultural features of Vietnam in addition to absorbing international culture" - Nhi shared.
Towards sustainable development
Many solutions related to integration and sustainable city development associated with the United Nations' sustainable development goals were presented at this contest.
It is to raise awareness and education about sustainable development goals for young people, promote green economy and innovative ideas, increase environmental protection activities...
Candidates all emphasized that the young generation is not only the future but also the driving force behind the city's sustainable development efforts.
Many opportunities and choices with foreign languages
Quang Truong and Uyen Nhi debated the topic "Vietnam should recognize English as the second official language instead of simply a foreign language".
Support, Uyen Nhi said English is widely used in the world, so if it becomes the second official language in Vietnam, it will contribute to promoting economic development, tourism, creating favorable conditions for people to communicate and welcome international visitors. Graduates will have more opportunities to work at multinational corporations if they are fluent in English.
In response, Quang Truong said that recognizing English as a second official language causes difficulties for the elderly and manual workers, indirectly creating a social gap. "Young people are very active and have many choices of foreign languages instead of being limited to learning only English," Truong argued.
Good foreign language for confident integrationSource: https://tuoitre.vn/thi-ngoai-ngu-ban-chuyen-hoi-nhap-phat-trien-ben-vung-20241019000554915.htm
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