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EF English Centers support the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong for the 13th consecutive year
Press Release | 2019-09-21

(Hong Kong – 21 September 2019) To ensure Hong Kong athletes are well prepared and ready for their retirement and are continuously adding value to their new milestones and future careers, EF English Centers (formerly known as Englishtown) has been sponsoring a total value of over HK$15 million to Hong Kong athletes who have the intention in improving their English through the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong (SF&OC) since 2007. EF English Centers held a "Let's Reach New Horizons with Hong Kong Athletes" press event today and invited former Hong Kong athletes who are currently studying with EF English Centers to attend the event, including the winner of the 2016 RS:X Asian Windsurfing Championships, former Hong Kong Women's Windsurfing Team Representative, Miss LO Sin Lam, Sonia; former Hong Kong Women's Rugby Team Representative, Miss POON Pak Yan, Aggie; former Hong Kong Rowing Team Representative, Mr. LOK Kwan Hoi, Ken, and the former Hong Kong Dragon Boat Team Representative, Mr. CHENG Chun Hin, Roy. The four athletes demonstrated different sports activities through fun and interactive English games, in order to validate their achievements in English learning. They also shared their experiences in learning English and demonstrated Hong Kong athlete’s spirit, enthusiasm and dedication, which encourages Hong Kong people to grasp any new opportunities.

 

Dr. HU Herman, SBS, JP, Vice-President of SF&OC cum Chairman of HKACEP Committee said, "I am very grateful to EF English Centers for continuously sponsoring current and former Hong Kong athletes by giving them the opportunity to study English. Especially this year when EF has agreed to provide a widely and internationally recognized English Test as a proof of the athlete’s English proficiency. EF English Centers' 24-hour online class allows athletes to learn wherever and whenever. Athletes can now use smart phones to conduct online conversations with native English teachers and students all over the world. Through this learning experience, the athletes can improve their speaking skills, broaden their international horizons, and effectively improve their speaking confidence and ability, therefore enables Hong Kong athletes to hold a conversation with other international athletes in global sports events, this helps to build an image of Hong Kong as an international city, and prepares the athletes for their post athlete career."

 

Ms. LO Christine, Vice President of Marketing at EF English Centers remarked, "EF English Centers is very honored to work with the SF&OC for the 13th consecutive year to contribute to the sports industry in Hong Kong.” She revealed that EF Education First, the parent company of EF English Centers, has just become the official language-training provider for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. EF Education First has helped more than 100,000 referees, translators and volunteers to improve their English for many Olympic games.

 

EF has always been willing to break through the cultural, linguistic and geographical barriers with language education. It has not been in vain and the results are remarkable. She also hopes that language education can help societies and even countries in becoming more harmonious and united. Ms. LO Christine continued, "EF English Centers has become the official test center of the TOEIC® (also known as the International Communication English Test) in Hong Kong early this year. Therefore, in the coming years, athletes who study English at EF English Centers can sit the TOEIC® exam for free after completing the course. The TOEIC® test is an integrated English test designed for non-native English speakers, the test score reflects candidates’ English communication ability in an international workplace environment. As TOEIC® is widely recognized, we believe that students can greatly enhance their competitiveness in the workplace after they have obtained a brilliant TOEIC® result.”