Talents Abound at the 3rd Annual English Festival

It is an annual activity of HWFLS International Primary School Department to hold an English Festival. Thus, from the last week of April up to the third week of May, students from all grade levels participated in various contests and performances with the purpose of improving students’ language abilities by using it practically on stage, in competitions and social situations and developing their presentation skills and confidence when speaking and performing in front of audiences.

合肥世界外国语学校国际小学每年举办一次英语节。因此，从四月的最后一周到五月的第三周，各个年级的学生参加了各种比赛和表演，目的是通过在舞台上，比赛和社交场合中实际使用英语来提高学生的语言能力，以及他们在观众面前讲话和表演时的表达能力和自信。

The English Festival commenced with a spelling contest. Selected students from Grades 1 to 6 battled for the top spot in the spelling contest in their respective grades.

英语节从单词拼写比赛拉开序幕，选定的一到六年级学生在各自年级的单词拼写比赛中争夺第一名。

The second week was another exciting week as students competed in the grammar race. Questions were derived from their textbooks categorized as easy, average, and difficult.

第二周又是一个令人兴奋的一周。学生们参加了语法比赛。问题是根据平时上课所用课本得来的，这些问题分为容易、一般难度以及有一定难度三个层次。

The third week was allotted for storytelling and poem recitation. Participants of     the contest were tasked to tell a story and recite a poem in their own creative ways. Each presentation had its unique features that left our judges and audiences in awe as each contestant’s presentation was     entertaining and some were intense and full of emotions.

第三周被用来讲故事和朗诵诗歌。参赛者被要求以自己的创造性方式讲述故事或者朗诵诗歌。所有的参赛者各有特点，有的演讲有趣，有的情感充沛，令评委和观众印象深刻，深感佩服。

The last day of the celebration was the most anticipated of all as it marks the culmination of the festival. It was just an austere celebration participated by the teachers and students themselves but the quintessence of using the English language and students’ vivacious and jovial presence were there. The program started with the welcome address of Miss Winnie and Miss Anna, the masters of ceremonies of the event.

庆祝活动的最后一天是英语节最令人期待的一天，它标志着整个英语节的高潮。这虽然只是学生和老师共同参加的一次正式活动，但是学生们使用英语的积极性以及他们活泼而愉快的表现是此次活动的精髓。此次庆祝活动以Miss Winnie和 Miss Anna的欢迎词开始。

Then, came the singing competition proper with intermission numbers in between contestants. It was truly amazing to see students embrace and exhibit their talents in singing, dancing, acting, poem recitation and storytelling.

接下来就是英文歌唱比赛了。也有很多表演穿插在参赛者们表演中间。看到学生们展现自己在唱歌、跳舞、表演、诗歌朗诵和讲故事方面的才能，真的是了不起！

What’s more, not only the students showcased their talents but also their English teachers who grooved to a 70s song giving students a glimpse of their impressive talent in dancing. The winners of the different competitions were then awarded at the end of the program with certificates and bags of goodies.

更重要的是，不仅学生展示了自己的才华，英语老师们也演绎了70年代的歌曲，让学生们可以一睹他们在舞蹈方面令人印象深刻的才能。然后，在英语节接近尾声之际，老师们向不同比赛的优胜者颁发证书和精美礼品袋。

This event serves as another milestone for the International Primary Department. Once again, the  teachers opened the gateway for students to showcase their talents, what they know and what they can do in and outside the classroom setting. Truly, the events conducted were instructive and edifying for the part of the students and the teachers as well. Moreover, these events just prove that at HWFLS International Primary Department, not only the minds and academic performance of students are developed but also their talents, confidence, social skills and potentials.

本次英语节活动是国际小学的又一个里程碑。老师们再次为学生们展示了自己的才能，展现他们所知道的知识以及他们在课堂内外都能做什么。事实上，本次英语节活动对学生和老师们都具有启发性。最重要的是，本次活动证明，在合肥世界外国语学校国际小学，不仅能培养学生的思维和学业成绩，而且还发展了他们的才华，自信，社交技巧和潜力。

撰稿：Michelle、张玉洁

图片：束菊艳、张玉洁