在全国总决赛的最后一场比赛之前，Olivia的心情是复杂的。竞争者们都是通过全国各省市层层选拔、与自己实力相当的候选人。在前一天的演讲中，Olivia出现了小错误，这一个微小的失利可能就会让她与前四名失之交臂，她对此感到十分沮丧。

然而，在总决赛上场之前，Olivia努力让自己调整好状态。毕竟在接下来的2个小时里，年仅8岁的她需要保持绝对的冷静和清醒，面对未知的辩题和对方辩手犀利的提问。

Leading up to the ultimate showdown of the National Championship, Olivia experienced a whirlwind of emotions. Competitors had been rigorously selected from across the nation, each standing as a candidate of equal merit. In a previous day's speech, Olivia stumbled over a minor detail, a slight misstep that could potentially have hindered her chances of securing a spot among the top four, leaving her feeling somewhat disheartened.

Right before going on stage for the showdown, Olivia took a moment to adjust her thinking. The 8-year-old had to show confidence and focus on the debate for the next two important hours. She had to handle unfamiliar debate topics and smart questions from the other kids with skill.

“外文杯”青少年英文演讲与辩论大会由中国外文局教育培训中心主办，历时3个月，从市级比赛、省级比赛至全国总决赛，Olivia一共经历过了5场全英文脱稿演讲和5场全英文辩论赛。

The "CIPG Cup" Youth English Speech and Debate Talent Show, hosted by the Education and Training Centre of the China Foreign Language Publishing and Distribution Bureau, unfolded over a span of three months. Throughout this thrilling voyage, Olivia actively participated in five unscripted English speeches and engaged in five English debates.

在最关键的金银铜角逐赛中，Olivia现场抽取了辩题「We should shut down the zoo」（我们应该关停动物园），并担任正方辩手。接下来，她只有15分钟独立完成论点的整理和英文发言稿。

In the crucial gold, silver, and bronze competition, Olivia selected the topic "We should shut down the zoo" and argued in favor of it. Subsequently, she had only 15 minutes to create her arguments and compose her English speech. 

因此，评委会在给晋级选手评分时，对他们的英文词汇掌握、知识积累、视野、演讲内容、语言组织、语音语调、肢体语言、演讲技巧和辩论技巧等方面都有着非常高的评判标准。

所以，全国总决赛的获奖选手们在这些方面都需要具有远超出同龄人的水平。

As a result, when assessing participants who move forward in the competition, the judges have very high standards for their English vocabulary, knowledge, perspectives, speech, language skills, voice tone, body language, presentation abilities, and debating techniques. 

The competitors who win awards in the competition are expected to excel in these areas far beyond their peers of the same age.

Olivia在踏入小学生活之前，也曾是广州斐特思幼儿园（FCGEY）的一员。与其他FCGEY的小朋友一样，Olivia在全天外教跟班的语言环境中度过日常。FCGEY的英语教学采用自然拼读法，仿效了英语母语习得的方式，使宝宝们在理解单词含义之前就能够拼读单词。因此，FCGEY的孩子们对英语语音非常敏感，能够轻松辨别不同的发音。并且，在学习自然拼读法的过程中，孩子们培养了拆解词汇的能力，也就是说，未来学习任何新单词对他们来说都不再费力。

升入广州斐特思小学部后，Olivia的课堂由中外两位老师共同授课。除了在较复杂问题上中教老师用中文解释外，在90%的时间里，孩子们都在全英语环境中学习和生活。

外教老师专注于口语表达、运用和发音上的训练，中教老师则在语法和写作上进行深入指导。两位老师的合作确保了学生们在语言和学术方面的全面发展。在日常的语言训练中，老师们通过对话的方式教授新词汇，通过故事表演让学生们学以致用。同时，根据学生的不同进度和爱好，为他们筛选不同的阅读书籍，提供个性化的教学内容。

大量的知识积累是运用的前提。在广州斐特思，养成阅读习惯是一门“必修课”。每位小学生都拥有一本记录着每日阅读书籍的小册子。【如下图所示】从科学到文学，从历史到法律，从人物传记到童话传说，他们不断地积累知识，拓宽视野，延伸知识的广度。

Before joining FCG Primary School, Olivia attended FCG Early Year School. Like other children at FCGEY, Olivia's days are spent with a full-time tutor in an English-speaking setting. They employ the natural spelling method to teach English, which is modelled on how we naturally acquire our first language. This approach helps children like Olivia learn to spell words even before comprehending their meanings. As a result, stdudents at FCGEY have a keen ability to distinguish and recognise various English sounds. Moreover, while learning this way, they become skilled at breaking down words, acquiring new vocabulary as a straightforward task in the future.

Now Olivia is enrolled in FCG Primary School and takes part in co-teaching classes. For 90% of the school day, they learn and engage in an English-speaking environment, except when they require assistance with more challenging questions, which are explained in Chinese.

The international instructors focus on enhancing speaking, application, and pronunciation skills, while their Chinese counterparts delve into the nuances of grammar and writing. This effective teamwork ensures students holistically develop their language proficiency and academic abilities. Teachers use interactive conversations to introduce new vocabulary during their daily language exercises and employ storytelling techniques to encourage practical comprehension. Additionally, custom-designed teaching materials, tailored to each student's progress and interests, encompass a wide array of reading materials.

The groundwork for practical use is built upon a wealth of knowledge. At Feitsui in Guangzhou, nurturing a reading habit is considered an "essential subject." Every student keeps a dedicated journal tracking their daily reading progress. Covering subjects ranging from science to literature, history to law, and biographies to fairy tales.

亘古至今，无论是哲人、政治领袖、文学巨匠、还是商业大亨，行业佼佼者们拥有一个共同的特点——卓越的思辨能力。在这个信息量爆炸、观点多元的现代社会，过去的知识不足以让我们“一键”解决当下问题时，思辨能力将成为孩子们的立身之本。

对于8岁的孩子来说，思辨能力表现在他们提出问题、多角度思考、解决问题和做出判断能力。这样的思维能力，正是Olivia在日复一日的练习中被培养出来的。

Olivia的英语老师Yannis分享道，无论是语言、数学或是探究课上，Olivia都非常主动，善于提问。

在小学阶段，我们将国家课程标准与IB课程相结合。在每个探究单元开始时，学生们会自主提出问题：“I KNOW” 我知道什么和“I WONDER” 我想知道什么，通过跨学科学习和运用，他们得以从多个学科角度探究一个主题，从而成为积极、主动的学习者。

Throughout history, whether philosophers, politicians, literary geniuses, or business magnates, these remarkable individuals all shared a common trait - an exceptional ability for critical thinking. In today's world of abundant information and diverse viewpoints, the capacity to address modern challenges goes beyond traditional wisdom. Critical thinking skill is crucial for young minds like Olivia.

Even for an eight-year-old, the development of critical thinking is evident in their ability to ask questions, approach problems from different angles, find solutions, and make insightful judgments. Olivia's proficiency in this area has been carefully nurtured through consistent practice.

One of Olivia's English tutors, Yannis, observes her proactive attitude and skill in raising thought-provoking questions in English classes or during exploratory sessions. 

We combine national curriculum standards with the esteemed IB framework during the primary phase. As each exploratory unit unfolds, students independently formulate questions under "I KNOW" and "I WONDER" headings. This interdisciplinary approach enriches their learning and transforms them into engaged and enthusiastic learners.

正是因为如此，Olivia可以在15分钟内调用知识储备，从三个不同的角度给出论点，并快速地将思考内容整理成语言，在辩论时迅速地找出对方观点的漏洞。

未来，当勤于思考的广州斐特思学子踏入高等学府，或是开展事业之时，他们将不会随波逐流，亦步亦趋。相反，他们将能够准确地从繁复无序的信息和多样的观点中洞察事物的底层逻辑，保持清醒、机智的头脑立足于国际社会，成为各行各业的领航人。

For this reason, Olivia can draw upon her wealth of knowledge in just 15 minutes, forming arguments from three different angles. She skillfully arranges her ideas into clear language and quickly identifies weaknesses in opposing opinions during debates.