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
Challenge
Category 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
An all expenses paid week in Melbourne each

Morgan Asia Pacific Plain
English Speaking Awards
Melboune Australia)
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.