2024 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students 全國高中生英語口說比賽

一、 活動目的 Objectives

臺美交流在過去 40 年持續發展，透過美國在台協會，雙方不論在經濟、貿易、教育、文化等各方面持續強化交流與合作關係。

2024 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students 全國高中生英語口說比賽

國立中山大學於 1999 年與美國在台協會合作，設立臺灣唯一一個中山美國中心，其任務為增加南臺灣地區與美國的瞭解及互動。成立以來透過多方面合作進行交流，包含大型演講、文化活動、研討會、展覽及留美講座，讓學生與社會大眾更加瞭解美國文化、商業、教育及價值觀等。

本校自 2013 年起與美國在台協會合作辦理英語演講比賽，推動雙方文化交流並提升本地學生英語能力。由 2023 年開始起透過新的形式，以英語口說方式鼓勵高中學生活用英語及展現表達能力與台風，訂定之主題也期許學生展現創新思維，以持續推動臺美雙方交流。

The mutual exchange between Taiwan and the United States has developed continuously over the past 40 years. Through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), both countries have cooperated in various aspects such as economy, trade, education, and culture.

In 1999, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) and AIT collaborated to establish the only American Center in Taiwan. Its mission is to enhance the mutual understanding between southern Taiwan and the United States. Since its inception, the Sun Yat-sen America Center (SYSAC) has provided students and the general public opportunities to learn about American culture, business, education, and values through activities such as speeches, cultural events, seminars, and exhibitions.

Since 2013, NSYSU and AIT have been hosting English speech contests annually to enhance and improve students’ English oral proficiency and, at the same time, facilitate cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. Since last year, the competition has taken a new form, oral presentation, for students to express their ideas about the Future, hence FutureTalk. Students are expected to express their innovative ideas to foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration.

二、 主辦單位 Organizers

國立中山大學西灣學院全英語卓越教學中心、 國立中山大學國際事務處中山美國中心、 美國在台協會高雄分處

Center for EMI Teaching Excellence, Si Wan College, NSYSU

Sun Yat-sen American Center, Office of International Affairs, NSYSU

American Institute in Taiwan Kaohsiung Branch Office

三、 演講主題 Topic

主題 Topic: How AI (Artificial Intelligence) Can Foster U.S.-Taiwan Collaboration

The students’ presentations should highlight that combining efforts creates a greater impact than working alone. (1+1>2)

Subtopic 1: AI in Education: Making Learning Fun and Effective

Introduction:

• • Discuss how AI is transforming the way we learn.
• • Mention how AI can make studying more enjoyable and personalized.

Possible Content:

• • Tailored Learning: Explain how AI customizes lessons to fit each student’s needs, making learning more effective and fun.
• • Engaging Tools: Talk about AI-powered tools like educational games and virtual tutors that capture students’ interest.
• • Accessibility: Highlight how AI supports students with disabilities by providing personalized assistance.
• • Examples: Mention popular platforms that use AI to enhance learning experiences. Use examples of how Taiwan’s education system or the United States education system uses AI to enhance the learning experience. Discuss how AI can improve exchange programs between the United States and Taiwan.

Subtopic 2: Smart Cities: How AI Can Improve Our Daily Lives

Introduction:

• • Explain what smart cities are.
• • Discuss how AI can make cities more efficient and liveable.

Possible Content:

• • Better Transportation: Describe how AI can reduce traffic jams and improve public transport.
• • Energy Efficiency: Talk about how AI manages energy use to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
• • Safety: Explain how AI enhances security with smart surveillance and quick emergency responses.
• • Examples: Mention innovative city projects in Taiwan and the U.S., like YouBike in Taiwan and Citi Bike in NYC.

Subtopic 3: AI in Healthcare: Better Treatments and Healthier Lives

Introduction:

• • Introduce how AI is transforming healthcare.
• • Highlight the potential of AI to improve medical treatments and patient care.

Possible Content:

• • Better Diagnoses: Explain how AI helps doctors diagnose diseases and create personalized treatments.
• • Medical Research: Discuss how AI analyses vast amounts of medical data to speed up research.
• • Patient Monitoring: Describe AI-powered devices that monitor health in real-time, providing early warnings.
• • Collaborations: Highlight Taiwan-U.S. healthcare projects that use AI, such as joint research or telemedicine.

Subtopic 4: Environmental Protection: Using AI to Save the Planet

Introduction:

• • Discuss the urgent need to protect our environment.
• • Explain how AI can help tackle environmental challenges.

Possible Content:

• • Climate Change: Discuss how AI models climate patterns and helps develop strategies to combat climate change.
• • Wildlife Conservation: Explain how AI tracks and protects endangered species.
• • Pollution Control: Describe AI technologies that detect and reduce pollution.
• • Joint Efforts: Highlight collaborative efforts between Taiwan and the U.S. to use AI for environmental protection.

Subtopic 5: A.I. and Entertainment: Creating New Experiences

Introduction:

• • Discuss how AI is transforming the entertainment industry.
• • Explain how AI creates new and exciting experiences.

Possible Content:

• • Content Creation: Describe how AI generates music, movies, and games, boosting creativity and efficiency.
• • Personalized Recommendations: Explain how AI algorithms suggest content based on user preferences.
• • Enhanced VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality): Talk about how AI makes virtual and augmented reality experiences more immersive.
• • Cross-Cultural Projects: Highlight Taiwan-U.S. collaborations in the entertainment industry, such as joint film or television productions or collaborations in music and gaming. Subtopic

6: Managing the Risks and Pitfalls of AI

Introduction:

• • Discuss the possible risks that AI poses in terms of causing widespread job losses, environmental damage due to high energy consumption, and other threatening implications for humanity if AI is not used responsibly.

Possible Content:

• • Solutions: Describe how governments, private companies, and NGOs can work together to mitigate the risks of AI through regulation, oversight, and international cooperation.

四、 參賽資格 Eligibility

全國高中生，個人組及團體組（2 人 1 組），由老師推薦每校名額（個人加團體組）最多 10 組。

Public and private high school students in Taiwan can sign up for the competition in one of two categories: individual or a team of 2 students. The designated high school teachers must recommend the contestants, and each school can sign up for a maximum of 10 teams, including individual and team categories.

五、比賽方式 Procedures

1. 初賽：

• 參賽者於期限前完成線上報名，並針對主題及自選一項副題製作 1 分鐘影片並上傳。
• 影片需一鏡到底、音量清晰，影片檔案類型以 WMV 和 MP4 為主，不得剪接，不需包含配樂、旁白或字幕。
• 主辦單位聘請專家擔任評審進行評選，評分標準包含語言表達能力、內容及台風。
• 錄取名額：個人組/團體組各 15 人/組。

2. 工作坊：

通過初賽者需參加由美國在台協會高雄分處邀請專家主持的工作坊。工作坊主題為提升英語口說技巧，並透過互動活動及小組討論提升參賽者的口說表達能力及台風等。當天活動結束時以抽籤的方式決定參賽者的決賽副題題目，題目如與初賽相同則重新抽題。

3. 決賽：

通過初賽及參加工作坊之參賽者至現場參加比賽。個人組及團體組分別進行，每位參賽者皆需上台報告，每一組報告時間為 5 分鐘口說及 2 分鐘回答時間。比賽得使用簡報進行輔助，檔案類型以 PowerPoint 與 Canva 為主，不得攜帶講稿、筆記等輔助資料上台。

Preliminary:

• The contestant completes an online application and submits a one-minute video
• presentation on one of the subtopics before the deadline. The video must be recorded in a single take with clear audio quality. WMV and MP4 video formats are preferred; any form of post-production, such as editing, background music, narration, or subtitles, is not allowed.
• The organizers will invite experts to form a panel of judges and to review the entries.
• The criteria include (1) English language skills, (2) the content, and (3) composure. A maximum of 15 individuals/teams will be selected from each category.

Workshop:

The AIT Kaohsiung will invite experts to host a workshop on improving public speaking skills. The program will include interactive activities and group discussions to enhance contestants’ oral expression ability and composure. At the end of the workshop, each contestant will draw one subtopic as the topic for their final competition; if the topic is the same as the preliminary round, a new topic will be drawn.

Final Competition:

Contestants who pass the Preliminary and complete the workshop will participate in the final in-person competition. Individual and team competitions will be held separately. All contestants are required to present, and each presentation is limited to 5 minutes and a maximum of 2 minutes for answering questions. Slide presentations are allowed, and PowerPoint and Canva file types are preferred. Talking points, notes, or scripts are prohibited.

六、重要日期 Important Dates

• 報名及影片上傳截止日期：2024 年 10 月 28 日（一）下午 5 時。
• 工作坊：2024 年 12 月 7 日（六）上午 10 時至下午 4 時。
• 決賽：2024 年 12 月 13 日（五）上午 9 時 30 分至下午 4 時 30 分。

Sign-up and Submission Deadline: 5:00 pm, Monday, October 28, 2024

Workshop: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Saturday, December 7, 2024

Final Competition: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, Friday, December 13, 2024

七、獎勵 Awards

完成工作坊之參賽者可獲中山大學/美國在台協會證書 1 張與紀念品 1 份，證書於決賽當日發放。

• 參加決賽之參賽者由評審團選出各組冠軍、亞軍、季軍各 1 名，優選、佳作各 2 名：
• 冠軍-個人組/團體組頒發新臺幣$4000 等值獎品及獎狀。
• 亞軍-個人組/團體組頒發新臺幣$3000 等值獎品及獎狀。
• 季軍-個人組/團體組頒發新臺幣$2000 等值獎品及獎狀。
• 優選-個人組/團體組頒發新臺幣$1000 等值獎品及獎狀。
• 佳作-個人組/團體組頒發新臺幣$500 等值獎品及獎狀。

• Each contestant who completes the workshop will receive a certificate of participation and a souvenir,
• certificates will be given on the date of the final competition.
• The panel of judges will select from the final round three top winners, two merit awards, and two
• honorable mention winners:
• First Place: Each contestant/team receives a prize worth NTD 4,000 and a certificate(s).
• Second Place: Each contestant/team receives a prize worth NTD 3,000 and a certificate(s).
• Third Place: Each contestant/team receives a prize worth NTD 2,000 and a certificate(s).
• Merit Award: Each contestant/team receives a prize worth NTD 1,000 and a certificate(s).
• Honorable Mention Award: Each contestant/team receives a prize worth NTD 500 and a certificate(s).

八、聯絡方式 Contact information

活動最新資訊、公告或詢問相關事宜，請至中山美國中心網頁 https://sysac-oia.nsysu.edu.tw。

Please refer to the Sun Yat-sen America Center (SYSAC) website https://sysac-oia.nsysu.edu.twfor competition information, announcements, or inquiries.

九、注意事項 Precautions

1. 參賽者完成報名及上傳影片後，即同意主辦單位使用影片內容進行宣傳及報導。影片由主辦單位留存。

2. 參賽者若不參加工作坊或退出比賽，請推薦老師於 2024 年 11 月 22 日（五）下午 5 時前寄送電子郵件告知。

3. 本辦法如有未盡事宜不足或爭議之處，主辦單位保留解釋、修改與變動之權利。

1. Once the contestant completes the application and submits the video to enter the competition, the contestant authorizes the Organizer to use the video’s content for promotion and publicity. The Organizer will keep the video on record.

2. If the contestant decides to withdraw from the workshop or the competition, the designated high school teacher shall notify the Organizer by email before 5 pm., Friday, November 22, 2024.

3. The Organizer reserves the right to modify any terms and conditions regarding the competition.
Any revision or update will be announced on the SYSAC website.

2024 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students 全國高中生英語口說比賽

相關連結：

• 2024 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students 全國高中生英語口說比賽
• 2024 FutureTalk Challenge for Taiwan High School Students 全國高中生英語口說比賽 EDM