Contest means trip to Beijing for two pupils (From Malvern Gazette)

Contest means trip to Beijing for two pupils

9:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By Sarah Davies

A PUPIL from Malvern St James girls’ school has talked her way into winning the trip of a lifetime.

Andi Haji Alliasim, in year 13, will be heading to Beijing after winning her category at the national final of the national HSBC/British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition.

She impressed judges with her fluent speech, confidence on the stage and the logical way in which she answered her questions.

Miss Alliasim was selected for the final with fellow MSJ student Jennifer Robb following success at regional level at the end of last year.

Both girls prepared a twominute speech which they delivered to a panel of judges and audience, followed by a question and answer session and a translation exercise.

Miss Alliasim said: “I didn’t believe I would get placed. To come first is a dream come true. I’ve never had the chance to visit China.”

Hong Wu, Chinese Mandarin teacher at MSJ, said: “We are so proud of Jennifer and Andi, they have both worked extremely hard and fully deserved to reach the final.

“This is the first time any student from Malvern St James has succeeded in getting through to the final of this prestigious competition and Andi’s success really is the icing on the cake.”