International Languages students win competition

Posted: March 31, 2014 2:45 p.m.

(L to R) Chinese language students Kelsey Waldo, Shawn Paisley and Jeong Hun An competing in Halifax.
(L to R) Chinese language students Kelsey Waldo, Shawn Paisley and Jeong Hun An competing in Halifax. Photo courtesy of Xinyun Photography, Halifax.

Three International Languages students from the University of Regina travelled to Halifax to compete at the 13th annual “Chinese Bridge” Preliminary Competition for Canada East and at the First Chinese Speech Contest for College Students in the Halifax region.

Twenty-seven students from five universities participated in this year’s competition: University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, University of Ottawa, Dalhousie University, and Saint Mary’s University.

The University of Regina students excelled in each of the categories they participated in:

•Kelsey Waldo (a student in Chinese 112) tied for first place in Level 1 competition.

•In Level 3 competition, Jeong Hun An won first place, followed by Shawn Paisley who captured second place.  (They are students in Chinese 411 and 312 respectively.)

•Jeong Hun An also received the “Award of Excellence” for placing first in the “Chinese Bridge” preliminary competition. She will be one of up to three students representing Canada at the International “Chinese Bridge” competition to be held this July in China.

The “Chinese Bridge” Chinese Proficiency Competition is an annual large-scale international contest held to encourage students to learn Chinese and strengthen the understanding of Chinese language and culture around the world.  The Hanban Organization hosted the event in Halifax with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, Education Office and the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University.