While Chinese is a daunting language for many English-speaking people, a handful of Ball State University students polished up their skills for a weekend speaking contest and two will compete nationally.
The Chinese Club hosted its first annual Chinese Speech Contest on Saturday. The 11 students spoke about anything from the transition between high school and college to themselves. There were five students in their first year of study and six in their second year.
Adam Harwood, Chinese Club vice president, won first place in the first-year category, and Zachary Alexander won the second-year category.
Every year, Indiana can send six students to the third annual Midwest Chinese Speech Contest in Chicago hosted by the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China to Chicago.-áThe students make speeches and perform a talent. Ball State has never been able to send a student to the competition but this year it has two spots reserved, Peden said.
The students who will go to the contest are chosen based on their performance in the Ball State speech competition and the strength of their talent, she said.
Chinese Club President Melissa Peden said the speech contest was started this year to build interest in learning Chinese and expand the Chinese Club.
Students tend to think they need to know Chinese to join the club but that's not true at all, Peden said, as she doesn't speak the language. This misconception keeps the organization small.
"This is the third year for the program and students still don't know its going on," Peden said.
The Chinese Club focuses on learning and understanding language and culture. The speech contest was one of many group activities that allow members to show off what they are learning as a club and in classes, Peden said. -áNext year, the members plan to begin a language and culture exchange, Peden said.
"We're hoping to make the program a little bigger and available to more people," sophomore Chinese minor Matt Velena said.
Preparing for the speech contest was quite nerve-racking, Velena said, because giving a speech in a different language is not easy.
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