SOTY 2023/24: Teen shows passion for Mandarin in speech contests, challenging stereotypes
Wang Jiaguo, 17, discusses winning the China Taiping Cup’s highest award with a speech on China’s first female astronaut.
Wang Jiaguo won the China Taiping Cup with an inspiring speech on Liu Yang’s space journey. Photo: HandoutWang Jiaguo, a 17-year-old student at Heep Yunn School, has a deep-rooted passion for Mandarin.
“Mandarin is my mother tongue. Since I was young, I have been intensely and frequently exposed to and used Mandarin, which has given me a strong emotional connection to it,” she explained.
This connection is evident in her love for books in Mandarin, which eventually led her to develop a strong interest in public speaking and recitation.
One key moment in Jiaguo’s journey was her participation in a national competition that required participants to write and recite an article. She chose to write about Liu Yang, China’s first female astronaut, detailing Liu’s experience and her own childhood memories of watching Liu’s launch.
“I described my excitement as I watched the rocket lift off,” she recalled. Inspired by Liu’s achievement, her article focused on breaking gender stereotypes.
“When I was younger, I didn’t think much about gender or stereotypes. I simply wondered why all the astronauts were men and why Liu Yang was the only woman,” she explained.
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“My mother told me she was special and incredibly skilled, which allowed her to stand out among the men. This memory resurfaced when I had to write about space exploration, making me realise how significant Liu’s achievement was in breaking gender barriers.”
Thanks to this speech, Jiaguo won the highest award at the China Taiping Cup, and her story about Liu Yang left a lasting impact.
She is also the first runner-up of the Student of the Year Award (SOTY) Linguist (Putonghua) category, organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
But before winning these challenging competitions, Jiaguo admitted to doubting her abilities during the rigorous preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and finals. She felt the pressures of school exams and the demanding preparation required.
“My teacher sent me an incredibly long and encouraging WhatsApp message when she learned about my reluctance. She asked if I would regret giving up after coming this far,” Jiaguo said. This encouragement gave her the motivation she needed to persist.
Preparation for these competitions is no small feat. Jiaguo typically starts writing the draft for her speech about two weeks in advance and begins memorising it a week before the event.
“Memorising the script is challenging as it requires mastering the tone, flow, and pacing. It’s crucial to highlight interesting points that capture the judges’ attention,” she noted, highlighting the importance of eye contact and tone.
Jiaguo also participates in extracurricular activities, including volunteering and practising Mandarin with her fellow students. These activities help foster her language skills and create a sense of community.
“To improve in Mandarin, one must engage in a Mandarin-speaking environment. Watching Mandarin dramas and listening to Mandarin songs are effective and enjoyable ways to learn,” she advised.
Her future aspirations are equally ambitious. Jiaguo is considering university majors in law or medicine, areas where her language skills could be effectively utilised.
“My abilities in language could serve these fields well. Law, in particular, aligns with my skills and desire to serve society,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Jiaguo emphasised the importance of perseverance and support from others, such as the message from her teacher.
“Their support gave me confidence, and I wanted to achieve good results to repay them,” she said.