Wong Kai Kei | 3rd Prize in National English Debating Competition: ‘Macau students are less exposed to English environments’ than HK

Wong Kai Kei

Two debaters, Wong Kai Kei and Leong Ka Wai, from the University of Macau (UM) English Debating Team have recently won third prize at the 19th Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Cup National English Debating Competition, held at Beijing Foreign Studies University. According to a press release by UM, the competition is the largest and most influential debating competition in China. This year’s event attracted 120 debating teams from around 500 universities in China, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and China Foreign Affairs University.
The Times interviewed one of the winners, Wong Kai Kei, who shared her experience of learning English.

MDT – What sparked your interest in the English language and what is your English-language background?
Wong Kai Kei (WKK) – I like languages. I think that learning a new language is important for understanding different cultures. Learning English is also kind of functional, since it is the key language to connect us to the world. I graduated from the Sacred Heart Canossian College English Section. I grew up in an English environment since high school. We used to listen to English and to write in English. However, the chances to speak and to express ourselves in English are still very limited in high school. After I joined the English Debating Team of UM I acquired many opportunities to communicate and express my ideas in an effective manner.

MDT – On a personal note, what is the value of learning English?
WKK – I think that English is the most well-known and commonly used language. Learning it connects us to the world and offers us worldview perspectives of people from different backgrounds. It is the medium which we use to talk to people, to understand people, to showcase our ideas. I attended an exchange program in George Washington University in the U.S.A. in my third year. At that time, English became the way through which I could connect to my classmates and to people around me. It also became my tool to survive in an English-speaking world. At that time, I was very grateful for the fact that I had felt the need to prepare myself in order to survive. Given the emergence of globalization, the English language plays a role that is getting more and more important.

MDT – What most impacted upon your development of proficiency in English?
WKK – I think my English proficiency resulted from three areas: teaching, self learning, and self-interests. I learn and improve my English most effectively through speaking. By mastering one skill among speaking, writing, listening and reading helps other skills as well, since they are very interconnected.
I like speaking a lot and debating is undoubtedly an activity that arouses my interest and I truly enjoy it. My coaches and debating friends constantly give me feedback and advice on ways to express myself in a more effective manner. Practice makes perfect. I genuinely believe that only through initiative to improve and practicing constantly with perseverance we can realize our improvement and keep improving. I would say that your determination to master the language, in addition to your consciousness about your own weaknesses are the most important qualities to enhance your language proficiency.

MDT – What is the greatest challenge of learning English?
WKK – In my opinion, the most difficult part of learning English is learning to communicate effectively. We all know the basics of English. However, knowing sentence structures, grammar and pronunciations do not guarantee fluent and effective communication. The ability to walk out of our comfort zone and talk to native speakers is something that requires courage and determination. Learning to express ourselves in a concise and persuasive way is far harder than we think.

MDT – Do you consider learning about Western culture an aid to improve English proficiency?
WKK – I think that, to a certain extent, yes. It is important to learn about Western culture in order to best understand and communicate in English. However, the benefits of learning cultures would not be realized in language proficiency unless we practice.

MDT – How do you assess the English proficiency of local students?
WKK – I think that the English proficiency of Macau students is comparatively lower to that of Hong Kong students. Most high schools in Macau use Chinese as a medium of instruction. Comparatively speaking, Macau students are less exposed to English environments. English is not one of the official means of communication.
I definitely think that Macau students/citizens should enhance their English proficiency. As globalization is emerging, English is the most common language in the world. Having a high English proficiency level gives us comparative advantage in terms of getting jobs and promotions. I think we should start teaching in English right through primary school since this corresponds to a stage when students are easily adaptable and express themselves more often. It becomes harder and harder to learn and master a language as we get older.

MDT – What suggestions would you give to Macau students in order to improve their English?
WKK – Read daily. Read whatever you can in English. Utilize the opportunities to talk in English. Imitate good speakers. Stay in an English-­speaking country. Attending exchange programs, internships, or even making short trips in foreign countries are good ways to learn English.