From their earliest days in the Chinese-English bilingual programme, CIS students learn that language is a tool not just for academic success, but for building bridges between cultures and communities. As the first international school in Singapore to pioneer this unique bilingual pathway, we’ve seen students grow into confident, culturally fluent communicators.

This commitment was on full display on 26 May 2025 when five outstanding students— Annabel M., Marco B., Andrew V., Arjun S., and Aarav C. embarked on an unforgettable journey to Shenzhen to participate in the prestigious Maple Leaf Cup International Chinese Speech Contest. Accompanied by dedicated teachers and supportive parents, the students were filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared to take the stage and embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The journey began as early as January 2025, as students began writing their scripts, refining their performances, and progressing through the preliminary and semi-final rounds. After countless hours of dedication and hard work, our students were selected as finalists and were prepared to represent their school on an international stage.

Annabel M. (Grade 3) emerged as the Second Runner-Up in Group A. With her bubbly and enthusiastic performance, she brought vibrant energy to the stage. Showcasing her fluency and confidence, she won the hearts of both the audience and judging panel.

Marco B. (Grade 5) received the Excellence Award in Group B for his challenging and entertaining Chinese tongue twister performance. He shared his enjoyment of meeting new friends from around the world and indulging in the delicious local cuisine Shenzhen had to offer.

Andrew V. (Grade 8) emerged as the First Runner-Up in Group C for his engaging presentation on his innovative AI project, Study Messenger. Originally developed to support his preparation for the AAPPL exam, the app represents his proudest achievement to date. Blending his interest in technology with his commitment to Chinese language learning, Andrew’s speech showcased how innovation can support real-world communication. He was especially inspired by the fluency of his international peers, describing the experience as both eye-opening and motivating. His knowledge of Chinese idioms and his technological creativity left a lasting impression on the judges.

Arjun S. (Grade 7) emerged as the Second Runner-Up in Group C. Guided by the philosophy that “to move a mountain, one must begin by moving small stones”, Arjun’s approach to learning Chinese is grounded in patience and perseverance. He captivated the judges in the Q&A session with his quick thinking, where he compared Indian and Chinese cultures through three carefully chosen keywords. This was a powerful demonstration of the language skill and cultural insight we nurture here at CIS.

Aarav C. (Grade 9) emerged as the Second Runner-Up in Group D. Having begun his bilingual journey at CIS in preschool, Aarav is a firm believer in applying learning to real-world contexts. He has actively used his learning in meaningful ways including designing a website to introduce cricket to the Chinese community for his Grade 10 Personal Project and initiating a Chinese Model United Nations (MUN) group to increase participation of Chinese-speaking delegates. During the final contest, he impressed the judges in the Q&A session by articulating the importance of incorporating Chinese into MUN as a way to encourage participants to explore global issues from a bilingual perspective.

This incredible experience broadened the students’ horizons, deepened their appreciation for cultural exchange, and reinforced the power of language in connecting people across the globe. Their journey reflects the heart of our bilingual mission, and we could not be prouder of what they have accomplished.