The first Mandarin Chinese Recitation Competition at the University of Tübingen was held at the Institute of Sinology and Korean Studies on July 2, 2026. The competition was organized and sponsored by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education to promote Mandarin Chinese language learning and encourage students to engage more deeply with Chinese literature and culture.

The competition was divided into two categories: one for students of Mandarin Chinese as a major subject (Sinology students), and one for students of Mandarin Chinese as a minor subject. Thirteen University of Tübingen students took part in the competition. To help them prepare, before the competition each participating student received a list of the texts that they might have to recite. Then on the competition day, each participant had to draw one recitation piece randomly from among all the prepared texts and then recite it on stage.

The pieces included both classical and modern Chinese poems, giving students the opportunity to explore different forms of Chinese literary expression. Many participants incorporated creative elements into their presentations, for example by dressing in costumes, and makeup that matched the theme and atmosphere of their selected text. These artistic interpretations added a visual cultural dimension to the recitations and contributed to the lively atmosphere of the event.

The students’ performances were evaluated based on four criteria, set out in the competition guidelines: 1. their pronunciation and tones; 2. their fluency and rhythm; 3. their emotional expression and delivery; and 4. their interpretation and understanding of the text. A panel of judges consisting of Chinese language instructors and faculty members, and Ms. Sabine Chin-Ying Weng 翁勤瑛, Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Germany selected the first, second, and third place winners in each of the two competition categories. The students who gave the three best recitations in each category each received an award for their outstanding performance.

The competition has provided a new way for students to improve their Mandarin Chinese language skills, deepen their understanding of Chinese literature, and then creatively present what they’ve learnt. It attracted a large audience, including approximately 70 students, and professors and language instructors from the Institute of Sinology and Korean Studies, demonstrating the Institute community’s strong interest in and enthusiasm for creative approaches to learning a different language and culture. The response from the participants and the audience was extremely positive and there are already plans to organize the competition again in the coming year.