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“Public Speaking Competition” is something that we need in many situations and is essential across countless different disciplines and professions. From teachers to politicians, broadcasters to lecturers, salesmen to lawyers and religious figures, being able to communicate publicly to a classroom, court, conference or crowd is a cherished ability. At some point most of us will have to give a speech in public, whether at a public ceremony, special family or community occasion, in a class for a business presentation or a job interview. By entering our Public Speaking Competition you will get the chance to develop this skill with the guidance of public speaking experts, training seminars and writing support.
This is the 9th year that ESU Albania have organised this competition and we are proud to include more applicants and activities every year. We will hold regional heats in different parts of Albania, a national final will take place in Tirana and the overall winner will represent Albania in an international final. Check out our previous winners here.

2017 Public Speaking Competition topic is “To define is to limit”

Main rules

  • Speeches have to be in English.
  • Each speech should be as close to 5 minutes as possible.
  • All pupils/students aged 12 to 20 years old, divided into two age groups 12-15  and 16-20 may enter

Why enter?

  • Develop English writing and speaking skills
  • Learn how to brainstorm and write creatively
  • Receive training in public speaking skills, vital for many professions.
  • Participate in a prestigious national competition
  • Winner of the national competition will represent Albania in international competition.
  • Meet like-minded peers and have fun!

To enter and find out details of our 2017 competition, download our membership form and fill it in.

Any questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the staff in the ESU office. Send us your queries!

Public Speaking Competition can be daunting. Standing up in front of a room of people and speaking calmly with passion and clarity is no simple task, it takes practice and courage. But it also takes a little magic. This month ESU are taking a look at some of the great speakers and their speeches, we’re going to explore what makes a great speech and gather some tips for this year’s Public Speaking Competition applicants…

Use simple language

Emma Watson – HeForShe Campaign 2014

It can be tempting to use your moment in the spotlight to show off your fantastic vocabulary skills to dazzle the audience, but please resist the urge! The point of public speaking is to be understood by your listeners not to confuse and alienate them by using elaborate language. The British actress Emma Watson wowed audiences with her speech for gender equality at the launch of the United Nation’s HeForShe campaign. She manages to use simple language to address gender equality issues. She wants to attract support for her cause by being easily understood. Remember when speaking in public if you can’t pronounce it, don’t use it!

Have a clear message

Martin Luther King “I have a dream” 1963

What do you want to say? It is vitally important when you are giving a speech that you know exactly what you are going to say. Before you write your speech ask yourself what you are discussing and why you are discussing it. This will help you create a structured speech that has a clear aim. Speeches that jump from point to point are incoherent, distracting and difficult for listeners to follow. When planning a speech make sure it t has a beginning, middle and an end, be as creative as you like but make sure that the message you want to convey is understood. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a powerful example of how to be colourful and passionate while ensuring that the message is never lost.

Make it personal

Michelle Obama speech supporting Hilary Clinton 2016

This is a wonderfully heartfelt and emotional display from the First Lady of the United States. The language that she uses is simple, the images she conjures you can relate to and the message she wants to convey is crystal clear. Mrs Obama is purposely emphasising her own experiences, her experience of being a woman and a mother. By making her speech personal she manages to strike a chord with people, people empathise with what she is saying. This speech is a true master class in making the political personal.
If you are feeling inspired by these incredible oratory performances why not give public speaking a chance yourself? ESU’s annual public speaking competition is accepting applicants. Get in touch with us now, so you can participate in this prestigious competition!

This year the English Speaking Union is organising English Summer Camps in association with various of the best schools in Albania.

The English Summer Day Camps offers great quality English language tuition, exciting activities, & cultural study trips to Landmark destinations such as the Petrela Castle, Apollonia, Lezha Castel and much more. We love to see our students enjoying a treasure hunt or outdoor activities as well as painting and piano lessons all in English.

If you would like your child to enjoy such experience this summer Join us in one of our locations: Tirana, Fier, Vlore, Lezha or Kukes

If you are a school and wishes to be part of the program write to us at info@esualbania.org

The International Public Speaking Competition for Albania has announced the 2016 winner representing Albania in the finals in London. Mr Andorel Ndoj was awarded the first price from over 240 participants.

Some of the best entries came from the Independent School in Tirana, Qemal Stafa School in Tirana, Ernest Koliqi in Tirana, New York university, European University of Tirana where Mr. Ndoj is currently studding too, Lezha Academy and many others.

We are thankful to all the participants and especially to the jury which had quite a difficult time to award the first price among so many presentations which were diverse but delightful to hear too.

Mr. Andorel Ndoj - ISPC Albania Winer 2016

Europe ESUs

A Global Voice

Following the creation of an International Programmes and Cultural Exchange team, the ESU is increasing its focus on its international work to encourage international understanding and cultural exchange through the use of English, and recognises its international branches, of which there are are over 60, as key tools through which this can be achieved.

The ESUs creative writing competition, My Magna Carta, received around 600 entries from secondary school children across six continents, with finalists coming from Chile, Malaysia, Australia and Serbia, among others. As part of the celebrations for the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, entrants were asked to write their version of a Magna Carta suitable for the 21st Century. The ESU welcomed 13 finalists to London for a week of cultural exchange, public speaking training and the Grand Final itself, which was won by Jane Josefowicz from the US and Mfundo Radebe from South Africa.

Kayseka Geerjanan, junior finalist from Mauritius, said:

“For me, the competition was somewhere I could spill my views and change my mentality about the world. So when I came to London I got to learn a lot more and I really enjoyed the trip to Runnymede…The British mentality has always led the world; it’s a template of exchanging views. For me, being in London is a great thing”.

40,000

International Students participated in our International Public Speaking Competition in 2015

Albania
Argentina
Australia
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
France-Bordeaux
France-Loire Valley
France-Paris

 

France-Strasbourg
Georgia
Germany-Hamburg
Ghana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Italy
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia

Morocco
New Zealand
Nepal
Norway
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia-St. Petersburg
Scotland
Serbia
Spain
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Turkey
Ukraine
United States of America
Yemen

The UK Ambassador in Tirana, Mr Nicholas Cannon CBE