To mark the 50th anniversary of the National Students Chinese-English Translation Competition, the Singapore Middle School Chinese Teachers' Association (SCTA) joined forces with the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (NIE NTU) to hold the competition.
This partnership with SCTA aligns with the NIE ALC's mission to promote bilingual education while providing a meaningful platform for student-teachers to demonstrate their skills and with a view to enhance their commitment to foster bilingualism in the classroom. Preparations for the event, including the award ceremony and a commemorative publication, started in 2023. As part of this exercise, faculty worked with student-teachers on issues such as event planning, hosting, logistics, and contributing articles for the publication.
Student-teachers presented their research on bilingualism at the 7th International Conference on Chinese Language Pedagogy held on 10th 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.
The NIE faculty members were integral to the competition, as Associate Professors Aw Guat Poh and Zhan Fangqiong judged the competition while Dr. Luo evaluated the competition questions. The publication contains articles written by A/P Aw, as well as contributions from past awardees, including A/P Tan Chee Lay from NIE and student-teacher Ms. Cao Mengyi. The calligraphy cover of the publication is produced by A/P Tan Chee Lay.
