Public Speaking

FOR

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MALAYSIA

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 or students 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 students of government-aided schools from Form

1 to Form 5 only.

4.0 PRIZES

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

4.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants. 1

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

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 minutes.

5.2.3 A warning bell will be sounded at the 5th minute and a final bell at the 6th minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

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

rules:

5.3.1 Contestants are given a topic four minutes before they are due to present the speech.

5.3.2 All contestants speak on the same topic.

5.3.3 The time allocated for the impromptu speech is three minutes. 5.3.4 A warning bell will be sounded at the 2nd minute and a final bell at

the 3rd minute. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

5.4 The topic for the Impromptu Speech will be prepared and provided by the

Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

6.0 ADJUDICATION

6.1 A panel of at least 3 or 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 Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, 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. 2

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?

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.

 This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the Ministry.

Division of Co-curriculum and Arts Ministry of Education, Malaysia

FOR

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

ADJUDICATION FORMS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MALAYSIA

5

SCORESHEET

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION (PRIMARY/SECONDARY) NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

C O N T E S T A N T Prepared Speech TOPIC Prepared Speech 60 marks (6 mins) Impromptu Speech 40 marks (3 mins) PENALTY (max. 5 marks) sensitive issues touched, below or above stipulated time, stipulated exclusions under competition guidelines infringed TOTAL PLACING Subject Matter (30 m) Originality, dev. of ideas, continuity, depth of knowledge, within time allocation

Use of Language

(30 m)

Clear, correct, simple and fluent speech, language easy to hear and understand (over-dramatic gestures discouraged) Subject Matter (20 m) Wide knowledge of global affairs, sincerity, credibility, spoken with conviction, accurate, relevant, interesting, lucid remarks Use of Language (20 m) Clear, correct, simple and fluent speech

Marks Time Marks Time

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

FREQUENCY COUNT

PRIMARY / SECONDARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

PLACING

1

2

JUDGE

3

4

5

PLACING

FINAL

CONTESTANT NO.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Position Name Signature

Judge 1 Judge 2 Judge 3 Judge 4 Judge 5 Date 6

FOR

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RESULTS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

MALAYSIA

RESULT

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION PRIMARY / SECONDARY SCHOOLS NATIONAL LEVEL YEAR _______

PLACING

CONTESTANT NO.

STATE / SCHOOL

FIRST

SECOND

THIRD

Position Name Signature

Chief Judge Judge 1 Judge 2 Judge 3 Judge 4 Date 7