Good morning, my dear students and my fellow colleagues,

亲爱的老师们、同学们，大家早上好！

It’s definitely a privilege and honor for me to deliver a speech here at the 19th Foreign Languages Festival opening ceremony.

在我校第十九届外语节的开幕上演讲，我感到十分荣幸。

In this beautiful time of the year, when the air is pregnant with fragrance of blooming flowers, when everyone’s face is brightened by a beautiful smile, when we are ready to submerge ourselves in the coming activities, we are gathering here for this festivity. It is certainly a special occasion and is of great significance in the history of Hangzhou Foreign Languages School.

在这个美好的时节里，绽放的花朵吐露着芬芳，快乐的人们洋溢着笑容，而我们欢聚于此，投身于即将到来的外语节活动当中。这无疑是特殊的一周，也将在小和山畔留下属于它和同学们的记忆。

Foreign languages are first to be reckoned with in the world cultures. Foreign languages are the bridges leading to the outside world. Foreign languages are such important tools for cultural exchange between countries and peoples.

语言是人类文明里璀璨耀眼的明珠，因为它是沟通世界的桥梁，更是不同民族不同文化交流必不可少的工具。

The theme of this year’s Foreign Languages Festival is “Reading books, changing the world.”

本届外语节的主题是“博览群书，改变世界”。

Personally, I, together with my students, have experienced and shared what book reading has been bringing us in the past years. We have not only read Classics in simplified versions, but done popular ones recommended by students as well.

对我而言，在过去的教学经历中，我一直都和同学们一同感受并分享着书籍带给我们的独特体验。我们既共同涉猎大家推荐的畅销书籍，也一同钻研那些为方便阅读而简化的传世经典。

For instance, 2 weeks ago, all Sr. 1 students and my Sr. 1 fellow colleagues just finished reading “Of mice and Men”, by American writer John Steinbeck, about which we together did a thorough discussion on the relations between man and animals, from different perspectives.

还记得，两个星期前，高一师生们阅读了诺贝尔文学奖得主美国作家约翰斯坦倍克的小说《人鼠之间》。我们针对人类与动物的关系，进行了一场多角度的深入的探讨。

That is truly a beneficial as well as memorable event for the students and teachers alike. We definitely treasure and adore the inspiration from reading.

无论对同学还是老师，这都是一次受益匪浅的难忘经历。对于阅读带给我们的灵感，我们感到无比欣喜，也十分珍惜。

Reading makes a man wise. A wise man neither trusts the world, nor distrusts the world, but judges the world individually.

阅读造就智者，而智者既不人云亦云，也不愤世嫉俗——他们总能独立思考、拥抱人生。

However, in an age of hi-tech devices prevailing, book reading is no longer easy. People are more likely to watch videos or sitcoms on iphones or tablets because they are exclusively visual, which is absolutely more interesting and entertaining.

可是，在这个高科技产品横行的时代，沉下心来阅读已不再是一件易事。人们更愿意在手机或电脑上观看各类富有视觉冲击或是博人一笑的有趣视频。

They may deal with something internal, but prevailing culture is naturally superficial, thus, they are not as rewarding.

尽管这些视频有时涉及一些深层次的话题，但是总的说来，这些流行文化往往过于肤浅、浮躁，并不值得大家陷于其中。

In this sense, reading is more important than ever before, for reading helps us not only know about the past better but also reflect upon the present now and again.

从这个意义上来说，静下心来阅读比以往更为重要，因为它不仅帮助我们更好地了解过去，更无时无刻不在提醒着我们思考当下。

Let me quote what English philosopher, Mr. Francis Bacon said: Reading makes a full man. I believe reading will be a greater access to the better understanding of the world.

英国哲学家弗朗西斯培根说过：读书使人充实。我相信，阅读也将为我们更好地了解世界，提供一条更为宽敞的道路。

Today and together we can shape a vibrant and prosperous future!

让我们携手共进，共同创造一个多元文化并存的美好未来。

So my very best wishes for the 19th Foreign Languages Festival! Thank you!

最后，我衷心地祝愿我校第十九届外语文化节圆满成功！谢谢大家。

（演讲人：英语特级教师 陆玉仙）