WELLINGTON, July 29 (Xinhuanet by by Xia Wenhui) -- Mary Gray, a lifelong advocate of multilingualism in New Zealand, was presented Friday award of the influential International World Council of Language Teachers (FIPLV)'s for her contribution to the teaching and learning of international languages, particularly Chinese.

    Gray, 82, is the first person in New Zealand to win the prestigious FIPLV International Award.

    Pro Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington and Chinese Language Foundation Vice Patron, Ian McKinnon, officiated at the presentation ceremony, hosted by the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers (NZALT).

    NZALT President Noeline Grant told over 80 attendees this is a great honor for New Zealand to be acknowledged at such a prestigious level.

    "We are deeply indebted to Mary Gray, who can more aptly be described as an icon than just an influencer, teacher, and protagonist for learning languages in New Zealand," said Grant.

    Gray, President of New Zealand Chinese Language Association, upon her retirement in 1987 at the Correspondence School in Wellington, had spent five years at two different universities in China training teachers of English, and so began her dedication to the Chinese language.

    Gray has played a vital role over the years in promoting Chinese study in New Zealand, and done so much for enhancing understanding between the people of China and New Zealand, saidChinese Ambassador Chen Mingming, attending the presentation of the award.

    Mary Gray, saying she was "thrilled and very grateful" for the award, noted that New Zealand needs to develop a clear education policy to facilitate the acquisition of international language skills.

    "The fact that schools will be required to offer a second language from Years 7 - 10 by 2008 is proof that New Zealand is taking the learning of languages more seriously and moving in the right direction."

    "But it needs to be far more emphatic in the allocation of resources to ensure quality output for the mainstream in this country," said Gray.

    Gray is retiring from the post of President of New Zealand Chinese Language Association, but she said her all-out efforts to promote language communication and culture understanding will not have a date of retirement. Enditem