PUBLIC SPEAKING

COMPETITION
FOR
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
2020

RULES AND GUIDELINES

 PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Through public speaking competitions, it is hoped that awareness is created

among pupils on the importance of the English language.

1.2 Public speaking is an essential part of most jobs and at some point, all of us will
have to give a speech in public to inform, to persuade or to inspire others.

2.0 AIM

2.1 To encourage the development of oral communication skills among pupils or

students

2.2 To promote the use of the English language

2.3 To promote better understanding amongst young people

3.0 ELIGIBILITY

3.1 This competition is divided into 2 categories:

 primary school
 secondary school

3.2 This competition is open to pupils of government-aided schools from Year 4 to
Year 6 only. Year 3 pupils are allowed to participate if they are from under
enrolled schools.

3.3 This competition is open to all pupils of government-aided schools from Form 1
to Form 5 only.

4.0 PRIZES

4.1 Cash prizes and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winners.

4.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants.

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5.0 COMPETITION RULES

5.1 The competition is divided into two sections, as follows;

Section 1 : Prepared Speech – any topic

Section 2 : Impromptu Speech (for national level only)

5.2 For Section 1 (Prepared Speech), contestants are to observe the following
rules:

5.2.1 Primary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a

topic of their choice for 4 to 6 minutes.

5.2.2 Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a

topic of their choice for 6 to 8 minutes.

5.2.3 The performance should be recorded and saved in MP4 / 3GP /

AVI / MOV / WMV format.

5.2.4 The video must be sent to the organizer via the link address
(google form) that will be notified by the State Education
Department.

5.3 For Section 2 (Impromptu Speech), contestants are to observe the

following rules:

5.3.1 Impromptu section will be conducted via video tele-conferencing

between the contestant, the panel of judges and the timekeeper.

5.3.2 Each contestant will get their turn to present their impromptu
speech.

5.3.3 Contestants are given a topic 4 minutes before they are due to
present the speech.

5.3.4 All contestants speak on the same topic.

5.3.5 The time allocated for the impromptu speech is 3 minutes.

5.3.6 A warning bell will be sounded at the 2 nd minute and a final bell at
the 3rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

5.3.7 The timekeeper will announce the time taken by each contestant
after the presentation.

5.4 The topic for the Impromptu Speech will be prepared and provided by the
Division of Sports, Co-curricular and Arts, Ministry of Education Malaysia.
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6.0 ADJUDICATION

6.1 A panel of 5 judges will be appointed for all the rounds at all levels. The
competition at the national level will be judged by a panel of 5 judges,
appointed by the Sports, Co-curricular and Arts Division, Ministry of
Education.

6.2 Points will be allocated according to the scoresheet.

6.3 Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote.

6.4 The decision of the judges is final.

6.5 Individual marks will not be disclosed.

6.6 The judging criteria for both the Prepared Speech and the Impromptu
Speech are on two aspects as follows:

6.6.1 Subject Matter

6.6.1.1 Is the subject matter of the speech suitable and

substantial?

6.6.1.2 Is the speech original and intelligent in its

exploration of the subject?

6.6.1.3 Does the speaker develop the argument and the line
of thought logically and effectively?

6.6.1.4 Is there a satisfactory conclusion which lends a

sense of finality to the speech?

6.6.1.5 Does the speech carry a worthwhile and convincing

message?

6.6.2 Use of Language

6.6.2.1 Is the message or point of view conveyed in clear,

correct, comprehensible and appropriate language?

6.6.2.2 Are tone, pace, pauses and projection effective?

6.6.2.3 Does the speaker avoid distractions?

6.6.2.4 Is the speaker’s style confident, fluent and natural?

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 6.6.2.5 Does the speaker:

.. use ineffectual repetitions e.g. “Ladies and

Gentlemen”?

.. use pompous and condescending language?

.. overdramatize?

.. make awkward pauses?

.. over depend on notes, reading, shuffling palm cards?

.. use inappropriate quotations?

.. make jokes that are irrelevant or inappropriate?

6.6.3 Additional judging criteria for the Impromptu Speech

include the following:

6.6.3.1 Does the speaker demonstrate the ability to think

clearly and creatively?

6.6.3.2 Does the speaker express his views with

conviction and / or humour?

6.6.3.3 Are the speaker’s remarks accurate, relevant,

interesting and lucid?

6.6.3.4 Does the speaker use clear, correct, simple and

fluent speech?

6.6.3.5 Does the speaker’s impromptu speech vary

greatly from the prepared speech?

Note:
 The winners from the previous year may participate in the current year
but the prepared text must not be an exact replica.
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