The 4th TOEFL and TOEIC Best of the Best Awards Ceremony

Event Overview

Organized by Smart Education Company Limited, the “The 4th TOEFL and TOEIC Best of the Best Award Presentation Ceremony” was successfully held on July 25, 2025, at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event celebrated the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong students and schools in internationally recognized English language examinations, while promoting innovation and globalization in education.

Distinguished Guests Share Insights on Education

The ceremony was graced by distinguished guests from the political and academic sectors, who participated in the awards presentation and shared their insights on the future of Hong Kong's education. They emphasized the important role of TOEFL and TOEIC exams in enhancing students' global competitiveness. The guests included:

• Dr. Hon. NGAN Man-yu - Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (Kowloon East)
• Dr. TANG Ko-wai William - Acting Head of the Department of Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, and Assistant Professor at the School of Education and Languages
• Mr. CHAN Wai-kuen Roy - Member of the Kwun Tong District Youth Development and Civic Education Committee and Guest Lecturer at Hong Kong Baptist University
• Mr. CHAN Kai-wing Kevin - President of Smart Education Co. Ltd., Official representative of ETS TOEFL & TOEIC in Hong Kong and Macao
• Ms. TSANG Wai-man Elsa - President of Smart Education Charitable Foundation and Chairperson of Hong Kong E-textbook Association

The ceremony’s atmosphere was further enlivened by the professional and charismatic hosting of Ms. Maggie Chang, a renowned emcee, singer, and host of ViuTV’s “Acamedia: Create, Like and Share”, who engaged the audience with her vibrant energy.

Keynote Speeches

Outstanding Achievements Recognized

The ceremony recognized top-performing students in the 2024 TOEFL Primary and TOEFL Junior tests. According to statistics, more than 30,000 students from over 300 schools in Hong Kong participated in the exams in 2024. Among them, only the top 0.5% were nominated to receive the prestigious “TOEFL Best of the Best Awards in Hong Kong”. These exceptional students demonstrated English proficiency at an international standard, laying a solid foundation for their academic success and future development, and showcasing the global competitiveness of Hong Kong’s youth.

Their achievements reaffirm Hong Kong students' ability to excel in a globalized environment. While discussions about the overall English proficiency of Hong Kong students continue, international test results show that Hong Kong students remain among the top performers in Asia for reading comprehension, listening, and writing, particularly in international and English-medium instruction (EMI) schools.

School Awards Driving Innovation

The ceremony introduced two new awards:

• TOEFL Best of the Best School Award
• TOEIC Best of the Best School Award

These awards honored schools that have consistently integrated TOEFL and TOEIC assessments into their teaching and evaluation practices. The schools demonstrated innovative teaching methods and significant improvements in students’ academic performance, establishing themselves as role models in the education sector while advancing the internationalization of language education in Hong Kong. The success stories of these award-winning schools not only highlight the strengths of Hong Kong’s education system but also provide inspiration for other schools. With government support for English education, such as the implementation of the "fine-tuning" policy and the increased proportion of English teaching, more schools are exploring innovative ways to enrich students' English learning environments.

The Importance of Trilingualism and the "Study in Hong Kong" Brand

Hong Kong's "biliterate and trilingual" education policy (proficiency in written Chinese and English, and spoken Cantonese, Mandarin, and English) has long been a cornerstone of its global competitiveness. English, as one of the core languages, plays a pivotal role in students' academic and career development. This event reaffirmed the importance of English proficiency for students' futures while showcasing Hong Kong's unique position as an international education hub.

In recent years, Hong Kong's influence in international education has expanded significantly. By promoting TOEFL and TOEIC exams, Hong Kong not only provides students with a platform to align with international standards but also attracts students from around the world, further solidifying the "Study in Hong Kong" brand as a global leader in education.

Memorable Moments at the Event

The ceremony reached its peak as students proudly received their trophies and certificates from the distinguished guests, radiating joy and pride. Parents and teachers in attendance also witnessed the outstanding achievements of their students. Meanwhile, principals and representatives from the awarded schools took to the stage to accept their accolades, celebrating their dedication and success in advancing educational excellence.

Smart Education: Advancing Internationalized Education

As the official representative of ETS TOEFL and TOEIC in Hong Kong and Macau, Smart Education has long been committed to promoting internationalized language education. By providing high-quality learning resources and assessment services to schools and students, Smart Education has established itself as a leader in the language education sector. This event successfully showcased the remarkable achievements of Hong Kong’s education sector and further reinforced Smart Education’s position as a pioneer in advancing English language proficiency on a global scale.