Introducing our 2024 Chinese Bridge contestants

We are delighted to introduce the two students who will be representing Leeds in this year's Chinese Bridge Competition. Chinese Bridge is an international competition in which non-Chinese university students can demonstrate their knowledge of Chinese language and culture.

Francesca and Sophie are busy working with our teachers to prepare for the UK finals which will be held in London and streamed online on 6 June.

Read about them in Chinese and see their video introductions on WeChat

Visit our Chinese Bridge Competition webpage

Francesca Pala is a third year student of Chinese Studies at the University of Leeds. Her year abroad in Taiwan last year was a huge boost to her confidence and language skills, and she worked hard to make the most of living in a Chinese-speaking environment.

After starting at Leeds as a beginner barely able to say 你好, Francesca is now preparing to represent the university in the Chinese Bridge competition!

Francesca's dream is to one day live in China and further immerse herself in the language and culture.

Sophie Kelly is a recent Durham University BA Chinese Studies graduate and current MA International Relations student here at the University of Leeds.

She has a longstanding enthusiasm for Chinese culture and language and enjoys applying her bilingual language skills and personal experience in fostering understanding and connection between Eastern and Western cultures.

She is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of representing Leeds in the upcoming Chinese Bridge Competition in London!

Follow us on Instagram to see more updates on their progress!