How to Win an English Speech Contest

English Stress and Intonation Notes

Seven tips for helping my students win first and second place for the KMJH and Taichung 2020 Junior High English speech contests

I love everything about English learning, especially the ability to express myself fluently in the language. Immersing myself in an English environment—such as listening to podcasts, reading the Taipei Times, and speaking English one-on-one on Skype—has been a daily routine for over twelve years. Accordingly, my ability to speak and write well gives me an edge when teaching my students how to excel in English competitions. Here are some strategies I've found effective for empowering our students to excel:

1.     Amusing Anecdotes

"Three years ago, when I was still an elementary school student, I attended an English storytelling contest. It turned out a TOTAL disaster. The judges were staring at me. My heart was beating like a drum. I didn't know where to put my hands. I got cold feet and completely forgot what I wanted to say."

Both a heroic act and an embarrassing flop can touch the audience. Through interviews with my students, I aim to elicit touching stories that help judges relate to the students' personal experiences. This also makes the speech unique and authentic, adding a personal touch to the script. Such an anecdote can also serve as an immediate hook, engaging the judges right away.

2.     Vivid Description

"I am riding a bike, pedaling past golden rice paddies. The fragrant flowers and lush trees along the way are a perfect combination for a good mood. Then, birds are chirping and singing. The wind is blowing gently on my face. This place has a magical power; it can make all your worries go away."

The purpose is to plant an idea in the audience's mind. It also helps to create a mental image that immediately sets the tone of the speech. Most important of all, it can effectively convey your passion for the topic to the audience.

3.     Clear Transitions

It goes without saying that our brains appreciate a clear roadmap to guide the flow of information. This helps judges process your arguments and creates an expectation about what will come next. Moreover, it helps us maintain consistency in our content and always stay on topic.

To put it in context, I am a big fan of the Rule of Three. It's everywhere in our greatest stories and fairy tales, such as the Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Try to come up with three steps to fulfill your goals or three reasons why you love English so much; this will make it more concise and memorable for the judges.

4.     Call for Action

"I've been to many other night markets in Taiwan, but this one in our lovely hometown is second to none. How long has it been since your last visit? Trust me. Fengjia Night Market will never stop to amaze you. What are you waiting for? Maybe you'll see me there savoring some octopus balls this weekend."

The idea is quite self-explanatory. After presenting your arguments, you'll want to prompt your listeners to take immediate action. It also helps your audience make a meaningful connection to the opening of your speech, whether that's a personal story or a famous quote.

Avoid merely repeating or paraphrasing what you've already stated at the end; it can be monotonous. Instead, urge the audience to try what you've proposed during your talk.

5.     Pronunciation and Intonation

Nobody can stand a low and flat voice for a long time. A lack of inflection is very common among Taiwanese English learners. No matter how good the script, without it, the entire speech could very likely end in disaster.

Through these English speech contests and Reader's Theater competitions, I've gained extensive experience (as you can see from the videos) in tips and skills to help my students speak better and sound more native-like.

6.     Change of Pitch and Pace

This is a much more advanced skill. The goal is to give judges no opportunity to feel tired or bored with your speech. They often have to listen to up to twenty speakers at a time. It's easy for them to zone out if your pitch and pace remain constant throughout the entire speech. By varying them based on the tone or mood of each section, your delivery will be much more engaging for the judges.

7.     Confident Body Language

This includes smiling, eye contact, hand gestures, and body posture. You don't want to appear stiff or overly flashy with excessive movement. Simply smile and comfortably make eye contact with the judges, perhaps by imagining you're talking with a close friend. Instead of merely regurgitating a memorized script, you want to appear confident and convey your points effectively.

All in all, as a public speaker at workshops myself, I am very invested in presentation skills. While I'm not a speaking guru, I genuinely appreciate every English contest that requires writing and speaking skills for improved content and delivery. It takes significantly more time and energy to help students master these skills, but the effort is entirely worthwhile when they excel in those competitions.