Celebrating Bilingual Excellence

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Students Chinese-English Translation Competition, the Singapore Middle School Chinese Teachers’ Association (SCTA) invited the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NIE NTU) to co-organise the event on 18 October 2024.

 Partnering with SCTA aligns with NIE ALC’s mission to advance bilingual education and provide authentic platform for student-teachers to showcase their talents, thereby reinforcing their sense of mission as Chinese teachers in promoting bilingual education.  Preparation for the award ceremony and the commemorative publication 《双语精华》began in 2023, with faculty guiding student-teachers in planning, emceeing, logistics and compiling articles for the commemorative publication.

Student-teachers presented their research on bilingualism at the 7th International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy held on 10^th August 2024, under the guidance of Dr Sun Li. Ms Phoebe Moh Hui Ting examined the use of translation as a teaching pedagogy to enhance Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) in Mother Tongue Language (MTL), “Cultivating Intercultural Competence of Singaporean Students from a Translation Perspective”.   She appreciated the opportunity which allowed her to gain invaluable insights into what it truly means to be “effectively bilingual” and the role of the education system in nurturing bilingual individuals. Two other student-teachers, Ms Ang Ka Yee and Ms Cao Mengyi, also presented their research “The Impact of Sociocultural Context Changes in Singapore on Students' Bilingual Proficiency from a Translation Perspective”.

Mr Heng Si Yuan Clement, the planning committee chairperson, found the experience challenging but rewarding, learning the importance of communication and adaptability. Ms Chin Qian Hui reflected on how the authentic experience greatly enhanced her organizational, financial management, and writing skills. Ms Sim Xin Xian categorically emphasized the importance of teamwork, and this was echoed by Ms Eileen Ho Xiang Ting, a first-time emcee. Ms Liu Ruoying, an exchange student from Northeast Normal University, cherished her maiden experience of participating in a large-scale competition in Singapore, which allowed her to appreciate the efforts put into Chinese language learning in Singapore.

 All in all, our student-teachers found these experiences fulfilling and inspiring, deepening their understanding of education and the kind of teachers they aspire to become.

NIE faculty members also contributed significantly, with A/P Aw Guat Poh and A/P Zhan Fangqiong who served as competition judges, and Dr. Luo vetted the competition questions. The publication features articles from A/P Aw and past award winners, namely NIE faculty member A/P Tan Chee Lay and student-teacher Ms. Cao Mengyi. The cover of the commemorative publication features calligraphy inscribed by A/P Tan Chee Lay.

The event was graced by the Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Ms. Gan Siow Huang and other notable attendees, including Member of Parliament for Choa Chu Kang GRC and the National Translation Committee, Mr. Don Wee, and Ms. Loh Woon Yen, Managing Editor of the Chinese Media Group, SPH Media.