“Entertaining and interesting. Took me outside my comfort zone.”

“Loved that I had to let creativity flow with no previous notice.
Best way to test writing abilities.”

 “Great way to learn and test ourselves.  It promotes learning English.”

“Liked experience of travelling and participating with other writers.”

“Thought we’d have to write another essay on serious issues.
Never thought we’d create a story from scratch.”

These were just some of the comments from competitors in the 4th National English Writing Competition which took place in two stages from July to November.  In the first stage, the participants had to send in an argumentative essay on a choice of given subjects.  In October, the finalists were invited to the Ralli Museum in Santiago or the Museum of Contemporary Art in Valdivia, where they had to write a creative story inspired by a sculpture or painting.   In this first year that finals were held out of Santiago, it was pleasing to note that half the finalists came from the regions.  

The winners were:

Category 1- School students 16-18

First Place:  Daniel Gonzalez Cohens, St Gabriel’s School.

With his story “Dinner for the Toreador”, inspired by Salvador Dali’s sculpture,Daniel won a trip to the UK, all expenses paid, including a two-week English Course with EF in the UK.
Second Place: Gustavo Lagos Villaseca, The Grange School.
Third Place: Josefina Sepúlveda Gimeno, The Grange School.

Category 2: 19-26 years old 

First Place:  Emilio Lara Espinoza from Talcahuano

With his story “Weaving the Americas”, inspired by the painting by Sara Sense, Emilio also won a trip to the UK, all expenses paid, including a two-week English Course with EF.
Second Place: Benjamín González Meléndez from Viña del Mar.
Third Place: Claudia Rivas Barahona from Santiago.

The Prize-giving ceremony was held at the Ralli Museum on November 3rd. Mrs Veronica Stronach, Chairperson of ESU Chile, introduced the evening with a short introduction to ESU Chile and its projects.  The British Ambassador, Mr Jon Benjamin, addressed the audience on the importance of English as a second language.  He spoke in Spanish – his seventh language!   Also present were Mr Pedro Pfeffer, Chairman of the British Institute, Mr Pedro Flores, director of EF, Ms Lorena González, Marketing Manager of BA, Mr Paul Griffiths of The Birchman Group, judges and competitors and their families. The prize-giving was followed by an excellent cocktail provided by the Instituto Chileno-Británico de Cultura.

ESU Chile would like to thank all the sponsors*, judges and organizers of this competition which has become a successful annual event. Next year we hope to hold finals simultaneously in Antofagasta or Iquique, as well as Santiago and Valdivia, to ensure the participation of young people from all over Chile.

*Sponsors:
Museo Ralli, Instituto Chileno-Británico de Cultura, British Airways, EF (Education First), The Birchman Group, HSBC.

British Ambassador, Jon Benjamin, presenting Benjamín Gonzalez Meléndez,
2nd prize Category II, with his certificate






Competition organiser, Pamela Yorston, presenting Josefina Sepúlveda Gimeno,
with 3rd prize in Category I






Pedro Flores of EF and Emilio Lara Espinoza from Talcahuano
with 1st prize in Category II