The 2018 English Writing and Reading Contests of Tianjin University, a.k.a. the Qualification Trial of the 2018 “FLTRP · ETIC Cup” English Writing and Reading Contests for the Tianjin Division were successfully held recently in Tianjin University. The contests were sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs of Tianjin University and School of Foreign Languages and Literature, with more than 600 students from different colleges participating in the events. The contests stimulated students' interest in English learning, further improved their English reading and writing ability, and helped to promote the further development of the English teaching reform of TJU. 

The Writing Contest was held simultaneously in different classrooms on the new campus. The contest required students to write an argumentative essay containing around 600 words and a practical writing of 300-500 words. It was designed to test the students’ abilities of analyzing the topics with limited time and compiling essays in a well-structured way. Also, the Reading Contest was held simultaneously in different classrooms on both the old and new campuses. Composed of several sections, including “To read for examining myself, for observing the world, for opening minds and for pursuing dreams”, the reading contest aimed to comprehensively examine students’ ability of reading comprehension and independent thinking. 

During the contest, Mr. Wang Lisong, Secretary General of the Foreign Languages Teaching Advisory Board in Tianjin and Deputy Dean of School of Foreign Languages and Literature, toured and made comments.  

The outstanding teachers of the college formed an expert group to carefully evaluate and grade the students’ papers. In the end, two students won the grand prize, four first prize, six second prize, and eight third prize for each contest. The winners of the grand prizes and first prizes will compete in the 2018 “FLTRP · ETIC Cup” English Writing and Reading Contests (Tianjin Division) on behalf of Tianjin University. 

The English Writing and Reading Contests of Tianjin University provide a platform for students to display their English proficiency, help to improve the college students ' ability in English writing and reading, all while contributing to the in-depth development of college English teaching reforms. 

By: School of Foreign languages and Literature

Editor: Qin Mian and Keith Harrington