The 2002 Impromptu English Speech Contest sponsored by the English Department was held last Wednesday (March 13) at the International Conference Room, Ching Sheng Memorial Hall. A panel consisting of 3 professors from the English Department had chosen their pick in the following order: First Price: Chung Yi-ti (Sophomore: English); Second Prize: Huang Chun-ling (Junior, International Trade); Third Prize: Lu Chiao-ping (Sophomore, English), Hsueh Ching-zong (Sophomore, English), Lee Chia-ling (Freshman A, English); Fourth Prize: Tai Ying-lu (Sophomore C, English) and Fifth Prize: Lin Chen-ying (Freshman, English).

The contestants were judged by 4 categories: manner, content of speech, English fluency and control of time. As it was an impromptu speech by nature, each contestant was only given 5 minutes grace period before the real show time, it became not just a test on his/her language ability, a participant’s wit and poise were also at stake. For this reason, a facetious thing occurred when some speakers forgot to say the next sentence by a prolonged slur, while others would resort to an incessant “You know,” and “You know”, and a variety of equally funny antiques.

Another unique thing about the contest this time was the more stringent requirements for the qualification of the speaker: they have to be ROC nationals and they must not have resided in an English-speaking nation after the age of 6; also, none of them should have studied in an English language school for more than 3 years. This was for the sake of fair play.

The three professors from the English Department are: Dr. Kuo Tai-chung, Dr. Sophie Chen Hsiu-chieh and Dr. Darrel Doty.

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