English proficiency key to global competitiveness: Speakers at National Wordmaster Competition

Staff Reporter

Speakers at the award-giving ceremony of the National Wordmaster Competition on Monday said students must strengthen their English skills to compete in an increasingly globalised world.

They noted that initiatives like the National Wordmaster can drive positive change within families and society by helping children and adolescents gain confidence and access to the global arena.

The speakers called for the initiative to be expanded into a nationwide movement.
The ceremony was held at the GNB Auditorium in the capital and was organized by international development organization Good Neighbors Bangladesh (GNB). The event was chaired by GNB Country Head Bartin Gomes.

Among the speakers were Professor Dr. Shaila Sultana, Director of the BRAC Institute of Languages; Associate Professor Md. Harun-or-Rashid, a member of GNB’s Steering Committee; Farzana Sharmin, Secondary Education Officer of Pallabi Thana in Dhaka; and Md. Shafiqul Islam, Secondary Education Officer of Ghatail Upazila in Tangail.
Organisers said the National Wordmaster Competition aims to improve students’ English language skills through vocabulary learning while reducing fear of the language. Good Neighbors Bangladesh has been organising similar competitions since 2004.

This year, 12,208 students from 536 schools across the country participated in the competition. Winners were selected at school, upazila, and district levels before advancing to the national round. Of the 15 national-level winners, the top three will receive educational scholarships in 2026.

In his closing remarks, Bartin Gomes said the core objective of GNB was to make English learning enjoyable and to promote a culture of self-study among students.
He added that the competition has successfully met these goals, increasing students’ interest in their studies.

At the ceremony, guests presented crests, prize money, and certificates to the winners. The final round of the competition was held earlier at the same venue.