PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1. Background and Rationale

1.1 The standard of English among students in Malaysia in a cause for concern. This is reflected by the low academic achievement of students in the public examinations. The percentage of passes for the English Language subject in the said examination has always been around 60%. As compared with the other subjects, the percentage of English Language passes has always been the lowest. There has been a hue and cry among members of the public over this issue.

1.2 The Ministry of Education has been sensitive about the manner. Various steps

have been taken to arrest the situation and these include activities carried out in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. Various Divisions of the Ministry of Education and the State Education Departments implement their own projects and programmers to help raise the standard of English among students. School too conduct their own activities for the same purpose.

1.3 In this context the Schools Divisions of the Ministry of Education also carries out

a number of support programs to help the students achieve better results in the English Language subject. Some of the activities carried out by the said Divisions are debates, choral speaking, story telling, English-in-camp and essay writing competition. However, it is felt that more activities are needed for students to get better and more exposure to the language.

1.4 Starting the year of 2000, School Divisions, Ministry of Education has decided to

introduce public speaking competitions for students in the primary as well as the secondary schools. Speaking is one of the four main language skills for students to be proficient in. As we advance into the new millennium students are expected to be able to master at least two languages, namely Bahasa Melayu and English Language, This would make it easier for them to function, as they are able to play a more relevant and functional role in their daily life. In the new millennium too the world becomes smaller and more global in nature. Technology too gets more advanced. Computers jwill be the order of the day. This proficiency in the English language becomes a necessity, as one need ot interact withone another and keep abreast with the latest developments in technology. One who does not master the English language in the new millennium will be at the losing end.

1.5 Through public speaking competitions it is hoped that awareness it created

among the importance of upgrading themselves in the English language. It would also serve as a catalyst for students to start using and learning English in a more serious manner.

2. Aim

� To encourage the development of oral communication skills among students. � To promote the use of plain English

� To promote better understand between young people

3. Eligibility 3.1 Thiis competition is divided into 2 categories namely:

� The seconday school category � The primary school category

3.2 For the seconday school category, students form Forms 1 – 5 of all

Government aided seconday school in Malaysia including the Mara Junior Science Colleges can take part.

3.3 For the primary school category, only students from years 4 – 6 of all

Government aided primary schools in Malaysia can take part. 3.4 It is a condition of entry that contestants who reach the national final present

acopy of their speech to the Principal Assistant Director, Schools Division, Ministry of Education two weeks before the date of the competition.

4. Competition 4.1 The competition is held at the following levels:

� School � District � State � National � International

4.2 At the school level, as many students as possible should be encouraged to

take part in this competition.The winner of the competition at school leverl will represent the school at the district level competition.

4.3 The winner of the competition at the district level will represent the district at

the state level competition. 4.4 The winner of the competition at the state level will represent the state at the

national level competition. 4.5 The winner of the competition at the national level (secondary school

category) will represent Malaysia at the Roy Morgan Plain English Speaking Awards which is held in Melbourne, Australia at the beginning of the second week of September every year. Participants of this award include representatives from countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Tonga, Hong Kong, India, Sri Langka, the Solomon Islands, the United Kingdom, South Africa dan Australia.

5. Incentives and Prizes 5.1 The reward is in the participation! Additional incentives are provided at each

level of the competition as follows:

Level Incentive and Prizes

School � To be determined by the school

District � To be determined by the district

State � To be determined by the state

Placing Prizes

National Primary School 1st � RM300.00 Category � Challenge

Trophy � Replica

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

2nd � RM150.00 � Replica

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

3rd � RM80.00 � Replice

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

4th - 14th � RM30.00 � Certificate

Placing Prizes

National Secondary 1st � RM500.00 School

Category � Challenge

Trophy � Replica

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

2nd � RM300.00 � Replica

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

3rd � RM200.00 � Replice

Challenge Trophy

� Certificate

4th - 14th � RM30.00 � Certificate

International (The Roy Morgan Asia Pacific Plain English Speaking Awards Melboune Australia)

� An all expenses paid week in Melbourne each contestant.

� A comprehensive programmed of education and cultural activities for each contestant which includes visits to the University of Melbourne, Melbourne High School , Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong Grammar School and Government House;

� A certificate of participation and a trophy each participant;

� A book prize provided by Oxford University Press for each participant;

� The International Winners’s Cup for the winner to take back to their home land.

**Additional Information Please notte that Placing for Semi-Final: 1st , 2nd , 3rd, 4th, and 5th . For both primary and seconday

6. Dates and Schedule 6.1 The dates and schedule of the various levels of the competition are as follows:

LEVEL DATES AND SCHEDULE

School March – May

District 1st Week June

State 1st Week July

National 1st Week August

International 2nd Week September

7. Competition Format 7.1 The competition is divided into two sections, as follows: Section 1: Prepared Speech Section 2: Impromptu Speech 7.2 For Section 1 (Prepared Speech) contestants are to observe the Following

rules:

� Contestants delivered a prepared speech of six minutes on a topic of their own choice;

� A warning bell sounds at five minutes and a final bell at six minutes. 7.3 For Section 2 (Impromptu Speech) contestants are to observe the following

rules:

� Coontestants are given a topic four minutes before they are due to present the speech;

� All contestants speak on the same topic; � While one contestant is presenting his/her speech, the other speakers

must be quarantined � The time allowed for the impromptu speech is three minutes; (timing

must be followed strictly) � A warning bell sounds at two minutes and a final bell at three minutes.

8. Adjudication 8.1 Judging is nationally and internationally standardized. Judges are required to

undertake a substantial briefing to gain full understanding of the judging criteria and to work within the Guidelines set.

8.2 Judging Criteria 8.2.1 The judging criteria for both the Prepared Speech and The Impromptu

Speech are on two aspects as follows:

a. Subject Matter

� Is the subject matter of the speech suitable and substantial? � Is the speech original and intelligent in its exploration of the

subject? � Does the speaker develop the argument and line of thought

logically and effectively? � Is there a satisfactory conclusion, which lends a sense of finality

to the speech? � Does the speech carry a worthwhile and convincing message?

b. Use of plain English

� Is the message or point of view conveyed in clear, correct,

comprehensible and appropriate language? � Are tone, pace, pauses and projection effective? � Does the speaker avoid distracions? � Is the speaker’s style confident, fluent and natural? � Does the speaker avoid: � Ineffectual reptitions e.g. “ Ladies and Gentlement” � Pompous and condescending language � Extravagant gestures or movements � Over dramatics � Awkward pauses � Conspicuous use of notes, reading, shuffling Palm cards � Inappropriate quotations � Jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?

8.2.2 Additional judging criteria for the impromptu Speech also include the

following:

� Does the speaker demonstrate the ability to think clearly and creatively?

� Does the speaker express their views with conviction and / or hurnor?

� Are the speaker’s remarks accurate, relevant, interesting and lucid?

� Does the speaker use plain English?

� Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and fluent speech? � Does the speakers impromptu speech veery greatly from the

prepared speech 8.3 What happens after judging? There cannot be a consensus made by judges. Therefore: At semi-final round: 1. Urus Setia and rank the position of contestants will total all marks up. 2. Urus Setia will then give the list to the chief judge. 3. Judges will be given 15 minutes to discuss and decide the 5 best to

enter the finals. 4. This procedure applies to the final round, too

9. Notes For Teachers, Contestants And Judges 9.1 The Prepared Speech For your audience to enjoy listening to you, you must enjoy having an

sudience! To hold their attention you must persuade your audience to ‛walk’ with you as you share with them you thoughts, ideas and opinions. The subject matter shouldshow originality, logical development, and continuity of ideas and knowledge of you topic. The language should be delivered in such a way that it is easy to hear and understand. You should use clear, correct, simple and fluent speech. A person at ease is a confortable person to be with. If you become anxious, the audience will pick that up. You must aim to be at ease and in control of the situation. You must be able to command the attention of the audience. You must have them looking at you, quiet and receptive, wanting to hear what you have to say. This is termed platform presence and is a necessary art to be developed in order to be asuccessful speaker. Remember that people do not listen to speeches, they listen to people speaking! Prepare your speech for her and now, this audience, these people. Use words that are understand and attractive, and know your subject. That way you can speak with confidence, monitor the reaction of the audience and stay in tune with them

9.2 The impromptu

The impromptu talk requirement for this competition sometimes causes unnecessary anxiety for the students.

9.2.1 Hints on how to approach the impromptu

� Draw on life’s experience and knowledge

� Brainstorm the topic on a sheet of paper � Think your perspective though, selecting from and expanding into

headings, key words or points from the brainstorming session. � Approximately four heading should be sufficient to sustain the

required impromptu speech. Jot these down on paper. � Decide upon the structure or sequence of the talk bynumbering

your headings. The first one you wrote down might not be the most appropriate to begin you speech.

� Transfer the first of your headings to palm card and add as many points related to as needed. When writing tries to express yourself using keywordsand phrases, which can be recalled at a glance, when you are speaking.

� Do palm cards for the other headings. � Recap on the headings and end with definite statement, rhetorical

question or perhaps a relevant quotation. � Prepare yuour opening last, Inevitable it will emerge as your

preparation takes place. Open with a definite statement, or turn the topic into a rhetorical question followed by a comment that gives some indicataion of what is to follow.

� Close on a decisive note! 9.3 As judging is bound by strick criteria, students and teachers preparing for

participation should pay careful attention to the following aspects of speech making:

� Opening and conclusions � Locigal development of theme � Choice of words � Accepted pronunciation � Use of correct grammar � Careful, or limited use of quotation � Orininaltiy (inparticular, avoidance of plagiarism)

9.4 An effective plain English speech

� Is on topic of importance � Has decisive openings and conclusions � Avoids clichés, buzz words and colloquial expressions � Uses words which are carefully chosen � Uses accepted pronunciation (e.g. Oxford or Macquarie Dictionary) � Pays attention to use of correct grammar � Contains a limited use of quotations, if any � Is original � Does not plagiaries the work of others �

9.5 An effective Plain English

� Speaks confidently and articulates clearly � Avoids over-dramatization and shouting for emphasis � Avoids distracting mannerisms � Uses pace, pause and projection to good effect � Understands the effective use of gesture, posture and eye contact � Times a speech accurately.