Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Public Speaking



PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION
FOR 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 open to all students 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.



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   Secondary school contestants will deliver a prepared speech on a topic of their choice for 6 minutes.

5.2.2   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 organiser


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.

            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?





Choral Speaking



CHORAL SPEAKING COMPETITION
FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES




1.0       Introduction


Choral Speaking is a competition organized by the Ministry of Education. The competition aims at encouraging and increasing the use of English among pupils or students. It builds confidence in pupils or students to memorize, speak, render and express themselves in English.

2.0       Competition Rules


2.1       Eligibility
           
2.1.1   This competition is divided into 2 categories:

·         primary school
·         secondary school
   
2.1.2   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.

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

2.1.4   Each Choral Speaking team comprises members from the same         school.
           
2.2       Time         

2.2.1   For the primary school category, each team is given a presentation time limit of 5 to 8 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

2.2.2   For the secondary school category, each team is given a presentation time limit of 8 to 10 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

2.3       Team        

2.3.1   Each team should comprise 30 to 35 pupils or students. A conductor should be appointed amongst these pupils or students.

2.3.2   Each team should be accompanied by 4 teachers-in-charge.



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2.4       Text
           
2.4.1   Selection of texts may be in the form of poetry or short prose. Texts should preferably be original and authentic.

2.4.2   Adapted texts including those from previous years should be acknowledged by citing the source.

2.4.3   Participants are not allowed to refer to any notes or printed materials during the presentation.

2.4.4   Materials presented must not touch on sensitive issues, such as race, religion, stereotyping, politics etc.

2.4.5   Copies of choral speaking texts must be submitted to the organisers two weeks prior to the competition.

2.5       Attire
       
2.5.1   All participants should be in school uniform when competing.

2.5.2   The conductor may use gloves.

2.6       Exclusions

2.6.1   There should be no inclusion of music, drama, costume, props or artificial sound effects.

2.6.2   Any inclusion of singing, skit or physical movement should enhance and not dominate the presentation.

2.7       Stage Arrangement

2.7.1   The arrangement of the teams on the stage will be in fixed 3-tiered rows.

2.8       Judges       

2.8.1   National level competitions should be judged by 5 or 7 judges.

2.8.2   The Best Conductor should be judged by a separate panel of 3 judges.

2.8.3   The judges will be appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

2.9       Decisions
   
2.9.1   Points will be awarded according to the scoresheet.

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

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2.9.3   The decision of the judges is final.

2.9.4   Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

2.10    Prizes       

2.10.1 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. 

2.10.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams.


Note:  
·                     The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation 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.


Definition

“Choral Speaking is the interpretation of poetry or prose by a group, comprising anything from half a dozen to a hundred speakers. It involves a full and varied use of the individual voices that make up the group. There may be divisions of the whole group into light and dark voices, broken and unbroken, male and female, treble and so on. Individual voices may be used as solo.”


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

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