Each contestant coming to the podium faced a contentious panel of inquisitors, who grilled them in a battle of wits, one upmanship and provocation. The panel included educators, linguists and TV hosts.

Fei Xiang sings for the contest

Before that each competitor had to face down anxieties about speaking a foreign language before an argumentative panel and a television audience.

Some of the winners said they found their best approach by relaxing and making every effort to be themselves.

For the first time this year, the final was broadcast live. The annual event is co-sponsored by China Central Television and the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.

Over the past seven years, the competition has grown to become the primary platform for Chinese college students, to demonstrate their knowledge of English and their insight of the language.

Learning never to give up - was another significant challenge for competitors. Those who reached the upper echelons of the competition shared a common spirit, that there was nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Editor:Liu Fang