Now a Form Five student at HKFYG Lee Shau Kee College, Greta Ng Mei-wai’s passion for Putonghua began long before she ever stepped onto a stage.
“My passion for Putonghua began at the tender age of two,” said the 16-year-old. That was when her parents introduced her to storytelling in the language, and what started as shy recitations soon blossomed into a lifelong pursuit through competitions and performances.
Putonghua became Greta’s key to self-assurance. Naturally reserved as a child, she was hesitant to speak up. But with every trophy came a surge of confidence.
“These experiences didn’t just earn me prizes; they gave me the courage to showcase myself on stage,” she said.
As her nerves transformed into excitement, Greta discovered that Putonghua could be a catalyst that empowered her voice.
That growing confidence ignited a desire to lead, and Greta now serves as chairperson of the student ambassador team and vice head prefect, spearheading skill-enhancing programmes for her schoolmates: “I’m committed to creating the same opportunities for my peers that I’ve been fortunate to have,” she said.
Her journey taught her that confidence grows through practice – and by guiding others, she’s turned passion into purposeful leadership.
Thanks to her efforts, she was named the second runner-up in the Linguist (Putonghua) category at the Student of the Year Awards 2024/25. Organised by the South China Morning Post and solely sponsored by
The Hong Kong Jockey Club, the award recognised Greta’s dedication to language and leadership.
Balancing her duties demands creativity. “I help create platforms for my peers to showcase their Putonghua talents,” Greta explained. To ease nerves, she introduces Kahoot games and fun quizzes. “I invite them to try scripts in Putonghua, then model examples until they relax and learn to master the pronunciation.”
Greta’s own performances have become the highlight of school events. At last year’s Parents’ Night, many families who didn’t speak English struggled to follow the English presentations. Thankfully, Greta stepped in.
“My clear Putonghua narration became the bridge,” she said. “Parents nodded, smiled and followed along.” In that moment, she saw how language could connect generations and cultures.
Her mentoring style blends structure with play. She created “Word Karaoke”, a lively activity where students learn pronunciation through song lyrics that mirror Putonghua sounds. Beginners laugh as they uncover new words hidden in familiar tunes.
“Outside training, many students still enjoy chatting in Putonghua,” she said.
“Their pronunciation isn’t perfect yet, so they joke it’s their secret language.” Watching hesitant speakers evolve into confident communicators fuels Greta’s dedication.
Looking ahead, Greta’s ambitions stretch beyond her current roles. She envisions expanding her school’s exchange programmes, sending students to mainland campuses and hosting visiting peers in Hong Kong.
“I plan to use Putonghua as the main language and forge new community partnerships,” she shared.
By deepening immersive experiences, Greta hopes to strengthen cross-cultural understanding and inspire future leaders who appreciate the beauty and power of Putonghua and Chinese cultural identity. Her journey reminds us that language, at its heart, is an invitation to speak, listen and connect.
