In 2022, children visited Dalinpu in Kaohsiung led by Mr. Lai Yen-Fu. This field study was the starting point of Albert's research.

 

 

01｜FIELD TO GLOBAL

Albert: A Gold Medal Not Trained in a "Competition Class"

From a neighborhood walk to a global stage.

Albert's research began with an on-site visit to the Dalinpu industrial area in Kaohsiung in 2022, where he saw for himself the relationship between industrial air quality and residents' lives. He then combined everyday observation, satellite remote-sensing data, machine learning, and English argumentation. In 2025 he won a gold medal in the Geography Thematic Paper category of the Senior High School Geography Olympiad with "Kaohsiung's Heavy Industry and Environmental Justice." In 2026 he developed the air data collected on the Dalinpu walking tour into the "Atmora Project," which won third place worldwide at the UPenn EcoVenture Challenge.

See Jungle Lion's science research program →

 

02｜INDEPENDENT THINKER

Jerry: A Good Teacher Makes Themselves Unnecessary

The best teaching makes itself unnecessary.

Jerry was a member of Jungle Lion's first English debate class in 2019. Under Mr. Lai Yen-Fu's guidance, he previously completed a geography project and an English essay, and in 2024 he won the John Locke Psychology Merit award. In 2025 he decided to take on the John Locke International Essay Competition entirely on his own, choosing a theology topic

titled "Why Pray?" He read a large amount of English academic literature on his own, repeatedly checked whether his arguments were rigorous, and finally earned a Theology Commendation. In the summer of 2026, he returned to the classroom as an English debate teaching assistant.

 

See Jungle Lion's English debate class in Kaohsiung →

03｜FINDING A VOICE

Ping: From "a Voice Like an Ant" to Second Place in Kaohsiung

Every child has a voice worth hearing.

Ping used to have sweaty palms when sharing homework in class, and his voice was as tiny as an ant's. The teachers did not push him onto the stage; they gave him a sense of safety step by step. In 2025 Ping won first place in the National English Creative Storytelling Competition, middle primary grades division, and in 2026 he won second place in the finals of the Kaohsiung City 2025 school-year primary school English reading aloud competition.

See Jungle Lion's English speaking classes →

 

04｜SCIENCE IN ENGLISH

Yi: Explaining a Prediction Model in Three Minutes of English

Three minutes, one model, all in English.

In 2026, at the Yuan T. Lee Cup Three-Minute English Science Innovation Challenge, Yi presented in all English on polygenic risk scores (PRS) and a depression prediction model and won the gold prize in the senior high and vocational school individual category. Yi was also a member of the team that placed in the top 4 of the TSDC Junior division in 2024.

 

Awards guided by Mr. Lai Yen-Fu: 2026 UPenn EcoVenture Challenge, third place worldwide; 2025 Senior High School Geography Olympiad, Geography Thematic Paper category, gold medal; 2025 Environmental Observation and Hand-Drawn Map, primary school division, silver medal; 2024 HIR academic writing, Outstanding Writing Style Prize; 2024 John Locke Psychology Merit award.

 

 

“

Brave because we are trusted; bright because we know.

Fide Splendet et Scientia

 

 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About English Competitions in Kaohsiung

Here are the questions about English competitions that parents ask most often. Our answers are based on the competitions Jungle Lion's children have actually taken part in and on how our classroom works.

 

Q: Which international English competitions have Jungle Lion's children entered?

A: Mostly international essay and academic writing. Our children have entered the John Locke Essay Competition, the HIR Harvard International Review writing competition, the IEO Essay Challenge, the UPenn EcoVenture Challenge, and international debate tournaments such as Japan's SOLA Cup and the Suzhou Cup.

 

Q: Which English competitions in Kaohsiung can elementary school children enter?

A: The most common starting points are school-level contests and the Kaohsiung City elementary English reading aloud contest. At the elementary level, our children have also entered the National English Creative Storytelling contest, the Tomorrow's English Storytellers Expo, and the English category of the Lufu Sustainability Awards.

 

Q: What English competitions are there for junior high school children in Kaohsiung?

A: The Kaohsiung City Junior High School English Competition is the main city-level event for this age group. Our children have won 2nd place in English composition, 2nd place in impromptu speech, and an honorable mention. Children with debate experience also enter the TSDC National English Debate Tournament.

 

Q: Why do you recommend English debate competitions?

A: Debate pushes children to organize what they have read into arguments and respond to opponents under time pressure. Events such as TSDC also include students from expatriate and bilingual schools, so children can connect with peers from different backgrounds.

 

Q: Are English competitions suitable for shy children?

A: Yes, but we build a sense of safety first and never force a child onto the stage. For example, Ping used to speak very quietly when sharing homework. With step-by-step support from the teachers, Ping later won 1st place in the middle-grade elementary division of the National English Creative Storytelling contest.

 

Q: Why does the honor roll show only part of each name?

A: To protect the children. Every name listed has parental consent, and we show only a masked Chinese name together with the English name, without the child's school.

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Q: Can a child with no competition experience enter the TSDC National English Debate Tournament?

A: Yes. At TSDC on October 24–25, 2026, Team PIP competed for the first time, and one child reached the Junior Break after only 3 months of learning English debate.

 

Q: What is the first step in preparing a child for English competitions?

A: First, book a free 15-minute placement test. Our head of teaching gives the test one-on-one. Once we understand your child's current level, we recommend suitable courses and competition directions.

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Q: What English level does a child need for English debate?

A: We recommend at least a pass in Cambridge PET (equivalent to GEPT Intermediate). Every English debate class is taught by Coach Daniel, and the core classes are held online on Zoom.

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Q: Does my child have to enter competitions?

A: No. Our courses focus on all-English reading, expression, and critical thinking. Competitions are an option for when a child is ready, not a requirement for taking classes.

 

 

PARENT VOICES

What Parents Say

“Competition results are only temporary. What moves and delights me most is that my child can put what they learned at Jungle Lion into practice in daily life.” — Parent of a Grade 6 child

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“Earlier this year was my child's first time in speech training. From the training and preparing the speech, to practicing again and again, and finally standing on stage to share their ideas in front of judges and an audience, it was a very important moment in their growth.” — Parent of a Grade 4 child

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“Even after hitting a plateau in debate class, my child kept coming to class, which really touched their dad.” — Parent of a Grade 4 child

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“Frequent experience on stage has also sharpened my child's steady stage presence and leadership.” — Parent of a Grade 6 child

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NEXT STEP

Start with a Placement Test

Every award-winning child began by understanding their current English level. Book a free 15-minute placement test, given one-on-one by our head of teaching.

Book a free 15-minute placement test →

 

 

READ MORE

Kaohsiung English Debate | English Speaking Skills | Cambridge English Honor Roll | Latest Schedule

 

 

Baozhong Main Campus: No. 155 Baozhong St., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung | Phone 0933-655-001

Yichang Branch: No. 40 Yichang Rd., Sanmin District, Kaohsiung | Phone 0966-454-001

Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 16:30–21:00; Wed 15:30–21:00; Sat 08:30–12:30. On Tuesdays the Yichang Branch stays open until 21:30.

LINE: @junglelion

 

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