On November 27, 2024, the English Language Centre (ELC) proudly celebrated the conclusion of the “i-Learner English for Universities Marathon Competition” with an awards ceremony honoring the top-performing students. 

The two-month-long competition attracted over 1,500 participants from students taking ELC courses to join, who collectively completed an impressive 26,903 lessons. 78% of the participants completed at least 12 lessons, and 46% of the participants completed more than 24 lessons—far exceeding the course requirements. This enthusiasm reflects students’ dedication to self-directed learning. In the writing component of the competition, participants collectively completed 22,216 pieces of writing within eight weeks. Notably, 38% of the participants submitted at least 24 pieces, demonstrating a growing interest in English writing. These achievements highlight the students’ passion for learning and their commitment to improving English skills through the “i-Learner English for Universities Marathon Competition”. 

Aligned with the ELC’s mission to empower students for success in English-medium university studies and beyond, the i-Learner platform encourages independent learning outside the classroom. By creating an immersive language environment, the platform helps students strengthen their English proficiency, develop academic skills, and achieve better learning outcomes. 

Group photo of all winners

The awards ceremony began with a speech by Prof. Katherine Chen, Director of the English Language Centre, who commended the students’ hard work and dedication across Fall 2024 semester. Certificates of achievement and prizes were presented to the winners, who were selected based on their lesson completion and performance.

Setting a remarkable new record, Wong Pui Si from the University English 2 (UE2) level, completed an extraordinary 238 lessons with an impressive average score of 91%. The 1^st place winner of UE2, Yanick de Jesus Monteiro de Almeida, also completed 238 lessons with an average score of 88%, just a few per cent different from the overall champion. Impressively, the first place of UE1, Wang Kinsing, completed 135 lessons with the average score of 96%, and the 2^nd place of UE2, Hu Tianyao, completed 147 lessons, with average score of 86%.

This year’s winners achieved a milestone of both scores and number of lessons completed, showcasing increased engagement and commitment. These accomplishments underscore the ELC’s role in fostering academic excellence and inspiring dedication among its students, paving the way for continued success in future semesters.

Follow is a list of the winners:

The writing competition highlighted exceptional talent across various levels of study. Huang Chi Seng from UE1 delivered an engaging and well-structured story, vividly recalling his first day of school with convincing character development, rich imagery, flawless grammar, and excellent verb usage. Zhao Ruiduan from UE2 showcased a strong command of grammar, advanced writing techniques, and an impressive vocabulary in crafting an authoritative and well-researched argument on anti-corruption commissions. Liu Yilin from UE3 wrote a clear, well-structured, and compelling essay debating whether marriage is essential to a happy life, demonstrating strong analysis, effective use of evidence, and excellent language skills.

Follow is a list of the best writers:

Reflecting on this semester’s contest, we extend our congratulations to the winners of the “English for Universities” Marathon and Writing Contest. Your dedication and achievements are truly inspiring. The ELC is excited to continue fostering a love for learning through more dynamic and engaging activities in the future. Stay tuned—there’s much more to come!

Champion of the i-Learner English for Universities Marathon Competition

Winners of the writing competition

Winner from UE1

Winner from UE2

Winner from UE3

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During the interview session, the ELC has collected valuable feedback from the students. As always, students show a positive attitude towards i-Learner.

Students shared their thoughts on the usefulness of writing training in their English learning journey: 

“The lessons help me listen more carefully and enhance my vocabulary.”

“As a Portuguese speaker, I find it difficult to speak English with Chinese people, but this training helps improve communication and vocabulary acquisition.”

“I like that I can practice anytime and anywhere.”

“The training enhances my vocabulary, helps me use proper tenses, and the knowledge can be applied to lessons. The writing templates are really useful for English assignments.”

“Each lesson introduces different cultures, which not only improves my English skills but also helps me learn more about other cultures.”

When asked about the most interesting and useful aspects of the i-Learner platform, students highlighted the following:

“My listening skills improved in a short period of time. The listening audios are short, which makes them easy to complete.”

“The reading part is very interesting. There’s a lot of new information, so I not only learn English but also gain more knowledge about the world.”

When asked if they would recommend their classmates to practice more on i-Learner, many students shared positive feedback:

“Yes, it’s helpful for the ELC course and helps to prepare for tests and exams. Plus, it’s exciting to win in the competition.”

“Yes, definitely. What can be better to improve your English and win prizes at the same time?”

“Yes, my English has obviously improved. I’ve also learned more about different countries, cultures, and interesting facts about the world.”

“As a Portuguese-major student, I do not have much chance to encounter English in my study. However, I don’t want to forget English after graduating from university, so this platform helps me keep learning English.”

The student feedback session highlighted the positive impact of the writing training and i-Learner platform on their English learning journey. Students appreciated the practical skills gained, such as improved vocabulary, grammar, listening, and communication, as well as the opportunity to learn about different cultures and global topics. Many found the platform engaging, informative, and useful for preparing for exams, with added motivation from competitions and prizes. The feedback underscores the effectiveness of these tools in enhancing both language proficiency and cultural awareness, making them valuable resources for continued learning.

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