Taiwanese urged to enter singing competition

Do you like the Beatles' Yesterday, Kylie Minogue's Can't Get you Out of My Head or Yellow by Coldplay?

If you say yes to any of the above and if you are Taiwanese, you are eligible to enter an English-language singing competition and maybe go home with a round-trip ticket to Amsterdam.

In a bid to promote public interest in learning English and to promote the Cabinet's plans to enhance the English-language ability of the people of Taiwan, a singing contest, "English Unplugged -- Episode One," will be held on Nov. 24.

The contest is open to all ROC nationals, regardless of age, educational level or profession.

"English is definitely the language of the world," said KMT Legislator Sun Kauo-hwa (孫國華), who is also the convener of the Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee.

Sun spoke at a press conference held yesterday to publicize the event. "I encourage all to take part in this competition and to learn English through this fun way -- singing," he said.

The competition is sponsored by Actual Living English (ALE), the Taipei Times and ICRT.

Registration has already begun and will go on until Oct. 31.

Interested individuals can register by calling a toll-free number, 0809-090-000, or via the Internet at www.ale.com.tw, or fax (02) 2747-4954.

Organizers say contestants will be asked to draw a number that will decide which song they sing from a list of 10 selected songs. Afterwards, contestants will also be asked to give a 30-second speech in English regarding their thoughts on the song they sang.

The 10 songs are We Are the Champions by Queen, Better Man by Robbie Williams, Vincent by Don McLean, Endless Love by Diana Ross, The Tide is High by Atomic Kitten, Never Too Far by Mariah Carey and All Rise by Blue, as well as the aforementioned Yesterday, Can't Get You Out of My Head and Yellow.

These songs were chosen because of their meaningful lyrics, said ALE public relations manager Tiffany Chang (張世卿). She added that the lyrics of all the songs would be provided during the competition for the convenience of the contestants.

Chang said that the contestants will be judged by a panel of university professors and judges from ALE, the Taipei Times and ICRT.

The judges' decision will be based on the contestant's appearance and creativity, enunciation, fluency and style of singing.

The first prize is a round-trip ticket to Amsterdam, second prize is NT$15,000 and the third prize is NT$10,000.