参考译文：An annual Chinese speech contest for foreigners was held in Changsha this year, which proved to be a good way of promoting the cultural communication between China and other areas of the world.It offered young people all over the world a good opportunity to learn better about China.
A total of 126 contestants from 87 countries gathered in the capital of Hunan Province and took part in both the semi-final and the final from July 6 to August 5.
The competition was not the only activity.The contestants also got chances to visit the famous scenic spots and historical resorts in other parts of China.

　　1.翻译第一段第一句时，注意“举行了……比赛”可翻译为被动结构，需要用be held结构表示“举行”；此外，“一年一度”英译时用annual表示即可；“外国人汉语演讲比赛”切不可按照中文语序直接翻译，需要先译Chinese speech contest，再译for foreigners.
　　2.翻译第一段第二句时，注意该句的主语和前一句的主语都是“比赛”，故可以将其翻译为which引导的非限制性定语从句.另外，“证明是”译为proved to be；“文化交流”译为cultural communication；“……的好方法”译为a good way of….
　　3.翻译第一段第三句时，注意“更好地了解中国的机会”中“机会”为中心词，其他部分为定语，故翻译为a good opportunity to learn better about China.
　　4.翻译第二段时，注意该句中的定语成分较多，因此需要先找到句子主干，即“选手聚集在湖南省省会参加了半决赛和决赛”.“来自87个国家共计126位选手”中，“共计”译为a total of；“来自87个国家”译为from 87countries，作为定语放在contestants之后.“参加了半决赛和决赛”译为took part in both the semi-final and the final.
　　5.翻译第三段第二句时，“选手们还有机会……”的译法很多.一种是直接用contestants作主语，谓语用also get／have chances／opportunities to….另一种是用there be句型来表达，即there are also chances／opportunities for constants to….“著名景点和历史名胜”可译为the famous scenic spots and historical resorts.