Malta Hosts Third Chinese Character Writing Competition
Over 30 students participate in event to celebrate United Nations Chinese Language Day.
On Saturday, Malta hosted the third Chinese character writing competition aimed at primary and secondary school students, coinciding with the United Nations Chinese Language Day, which is observed on April 20. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation and the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, drawing participation from more than 30 students representing 14 schools across the nation.
Participants were categorized into two groups—beginner and intermediate—based on their grade level and proficiency in the Chinese language.
Within a span of 30 minutes, students were required to transcribe two classical Chinese poems that reflect the themes of spring.
Thomas Desira emerged as the winner in the beginner group, while Aimee Sinead Baitson secured the top position in the intermediate category.
Fifteen-year-old Baitson shared his dedication toward mastering Chinese writing as he prepares for the HSK Level 2 exam, expressing a strong aspiration to visit China.
"I really want to go to China.
It is a dream that I have been striving for," he stated.
Another participant, also aged 15, Mattia Dalcielo, achieved second place in the intermediate group.
Dalcielo recounted his experiences from a visit to China last year, where he participated in the "Chinese Bridge" competition, delivering a speech and showcasing his martial arts skills.
He expressed enthusiasm for studying the complex structure of Chinese characters, noting the distinct difference from the English alphabet.
Alice Micallef, assistant director of the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes at the Education Ministry, emphasized the significance of the competition in fostering students' appreciation for the Chinese language and culture.
She reaffirmed the ministry's ongoing commitment to promoting Chinese language education within Malta.
Nie Aixia, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, highlighted the benefits of the event in enhancing students' reading, writing, and overall confidence in learning Chinese.
She mentioned that the institute would seek innovative methods to further enrich future character writing competitions.
Participants were categorized into two groups—beginner and intermediate—based on their grade level and proficiency in the Chinese language.
Within a span of 30 minutes, students were required to transcribe two classical Chinese poems that reflect the themes of spring.
Thomas Desira emerged as the winner in the beginner group, while Aimee Sinead Baitson secured the top position in the intermediate category.
Fifteen-year-old Baitson shared his dedication toward mastering Chinese writing as he prepares for the HSK Level 2 exam, expressing a strong aspiration to visit China.
"I really want to go to China.
It is a dream that I have been striving for," he stated.
Another participant, also aged 15, Mattia Dalcielo, achieved second place in the intermediate group.
Dalcielo recounted his experiences from a visit to China last year, where he participated in the "Chinese Bridge" competition, delivering a speech and showcasing his martial arts skills.
He expressed enthusiasm for studying the complex structure of Chinese characters, noting the distinct difference from the English alphabet.
Alice Micallef, assistant director of the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes at the Education Ministry, emphasized the significance of the competition in fostering students' appreciation for the Chinese language and culture.
She reaffirmed the ministry's ongoing commitment to promoting Chinese language education within Malta.
Nie Aixia, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, highlighted the benefits of the event in enhancing students' reading, writing, and overall confidence in learning Chinese.
She mentioned that the institute would seek innovative methods to further enrich future character writing competitions.
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