Boy wins with insight on value of time

0

KUCHING: SJK Chung Hua No. 6 pupil Joshua Jong won a national-level primary school English public speaking competition with his speech on the preciousness of time.

The Primary 6 pupil defeated 15 others at the English Language Unity Carnival 2014 Tan Sri Dato Muhyiddin Yassin Trophy held in Kuantan on Monday.

“People always think they have more time than they actually do so they procrastinate … but time is very precious,” he shared with thesundaypost yesterday on the win which made him feel “on top of the world”.

“We need to stop and get on immediately with whatever we want to do before it is too late.”

The humble boy admitted he still needs to improve, especially on his facial expressions and eye contact in order to better engage the audience.

“People are listening and you can’t make it feel like reading out from a text. You’ve got to make them feel your presence,” he said, adding that he also needs to work on stage fright.

Jong started the competition circuit in Primary 4 with storytelling, which led his English teacher Maria Wong to see his potential for public speaking.

He has since participated in various competitions at district, regional and state levels.

“I do a fair bit of reading to fill my leisure time every day, surf the Internet for extra information, refer to the dictionary to enhance my vocabulary, watch YouTube to see professional speakers’ presentations and so on,” he said.

Wong has also provided him with extensive training in school.

Joshua, who hopes to be a neurosurgeon, said public speaking is a vital skill for educational and personal development.

“In school, students need to be daring, to speak up and this will prepare me for the working world in the future,” he said.

His sister Ashley, now in Primary 4, is also following in his footsteps.

During the carnival held at Bukit Gambang Resort City, Ashley and the SJK Chung Hua No. 6 team for the action song competition placed fourth.

The annual carnival was held by the Education Ministry’s Co-Curriculum and Arts Division to nurture a greater interest among students on mastering the English language.

Meanwhile, headmistress Kho Bee Leng said Jong will be named the school’s top pupil this year.

“He performed outstandingly both academically and in co-curricular (activities) and the top student award will be an encouragement for him to always strive for excellence,” she said.

“With a strong record, I believe it will give him extra credit to enter university.”

Kho said the school’s performance in academics and co-curricular activities has improved in recent years.

“We emphasise that co-curricular activities are equally important as academic success. Good time management is the key to do well in all areas,” she added.