English Public Speaking Contest

The HKFYG English Public Speaking Contest 2021

Effective communication is particularly critical during times of crisis. In the midst of a pandemic, this year’s HKFYG English Public Speaking Contest provided a different kind of learning experience for students. The Contest, of which most rounds have been moved online, trains the young participants to communicate effectively and maintain digital competencies. As always, its aim was to encourage self-improvement and build secondary school students’ confidence in their ability to communicate well in English.

2021 Participants

1,132 contestants from more than 105 secondary schools  Junior Division: Secondary 1-3  Senior Division Secondary 4-6

Warming up December – January

 Intensive pre-contest training course in 3 sessions § Intermediate to advanced public speaking techniques § Tips on preparing for an online contest § Skills and techniques such as adding spice to your topic and speech § Impromptu public speaking exercises § Analysis of winning speeches and performances  Train-the-Trainers Workshop for Teachers § How to incorporate public speaking-related training with day-to-day teaching § How to address common challenges facing second language students of English § How to spark interest and counteract lack of confidence  Complimentary Public Speaking Webinar 1 § Delivered by senior Sir Ti Liang Yang English Language Ambassadors § Designed to introduce fundamental public speaking techniques § Finding the right topic and concluding a speech well  Complimentary Public Speaking Webinar 2 § Delivered by professional award-winning public speaking coach § Introducing intermediate-level public speaking techniques § Non-verbal communication skills and establishing personal speaking style  Winners-to-Winners Sharing Session § Co-hosted by 2020 contest winners § Getting ready for the contest § Speech-making tips: the personal touch, mental rehearsals, etc

Feedback from 2021 Grand Finalists

Senior Division

Ng Yuet-hei

Good Hope School

Yau Yeuk-laam

HKCCCU Logos Academy

Junior Division

Vijay Sathappan Narayanan

Island School

Mark Lee Jin-kang

Diocesan Boys' School

I thought I was a poor speaker but this contest gave me an enormous selfconfidence boost and I am genuinely grateful.

I am more aware of my abilities because of the Contest and would like to thank HKFYG for helping me.

The experience has helped me improve my skills and see the world from a different perspective.

The competition has helped me mature as a speaker and is a must-go event for any aspiring public speaker.

Judges

• Professor Timothy Tong Council Member, HKFYG • Mrs Margaret Leung Chairman, Executive Committee,

The English-Speaking Union (HK) • Mr Jeff Streeter Director, British Council, Hong Kong • Dr Jose Lai Director, English Language Teaching Unit,

The Chinese University of Hong Kong • Professor Stuart Christie Head, Department of English

Language and Literature, Hong Kong Baptist University

Question Masters

• Mr Jeff Nankivell Consul General, Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong & Macao • Mr Gavin McDougall Director, Public Affairs,

Australian Consulate-General Hong Kong

Contest Trainers

• Mr Brian Wong is a 2020 Rhodes Scholar, a

University of Oxford postgraduate and current

Director of Training for the Oxford Union and

Coach for the Yale Debate Association. • Mr Jason Chan is a University of Hong

Kong Master’s student and member of the

University’s English Debating Team.

Prizes

 Champion Book vouchers valued at HK$1,800 plus the chance to represent Hong Kong at overseas competitions  1st Runner-up Book vouchers valued at HK$1,200 plus the chance to represent Hong Kong at overseas competitions  2nd Runner-up Book vouchers valued at HK$600 plus scholarships for HKFYG Leadership Institute Moot

Court Summer School, Summer School for Global

Leadership and other designated programmes

Organized by The HKFYG Leadership Institute Enquiries SC@leadershipinstitute.hk / (852) 2169 0255 / Sharyn NG More details leadershipinstitute.hk/eps

Supporting Organisations