Congratulations to our student David McMahon Tormey who was awarded second place in a Mandarin Chinese Speech Contest which took place on Sunday, 9th October 2016. The Taipei Representative Office and the Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese hosted their inaugural Double-Ten Mandarin Chinese Speech Competition, followed by a Chinese food reception. Contestants spoke for up to five minutes on one of the following: 1) anecdotes or stories about their experiences in learning Chinese; 2) a joke or a funny story; 3) their favourite Chinese or Taiwanese cultural custom, festival, or tradition; 4) a trip to Taiwan.
All participants received a token for participation, sponsored by Taipei Representative Office. Prizes were: First Place - A crystal Double-Ten Trophy sponsored by the Taipei Representative Office, and a 30 euro award sponsored by Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese. Second place - A prize and a gift sponsored by the Taipei Representative Office; a certificate of merit and 20 euro award sponsored by Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese. Third place - A prize sponsored by the Taipei Representative Office; a certificate of merit and 10 euro award sponsored by Dublin School of Mandarin Chinese. Judging criteria: Speech construction: 25% Presentation: 25% Content: 35% Voice: 15% The panel of judges were as follows: Tracy Tu, Associate professor in Chinese Literature, Auckland University, New Zealand, 1990-1996 Yvonne Kennedy, President 2016-2017, International Women's Club of Dublin. Freelance journalist and translator (M. Phil. Trinity College Dublin; M.A. U.C. Berkeley) Frank Lu, Chairperson Taiwan Ireland Association. Coordinator, Overseas Chinese Affairs Council.
David is also being awarded the Chinese Embassy Prize for First Year from Maynooth University in the prize ceremony which will take place on the 9th November 2016.