ESU IPSC International Public Speaking Competition
DRIVING DIALOGUE, UNITING VOICES
Sir Winston Churchill
Chairman of the English-Speaking Union 1921-1925
1957
Queen Elizabeth II awards the English-Speaking Union a royal charer.
In 2026, ASEEDER officially became the ESU Macau Representative, introducing the competition to Macau, China for the first time. It is open to students aged 16–20, and the Macau Grand Final champion will be selected to compete in the IPSC Global Finals in the UK. Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), as the co-organiser of this event, provides professional support for the competition, jointly promoting youth education development and international exchange and cooperation.
A Structured Journey
Builds Oracy Skills
From the Preliminary Round and the Macau Regional Final to the UK Global Finals Week, these progressive, real-world challenges help participants continuously improve their ability to speak clearly, communicate confidently, persuade effectively, listen actively, and connect with others.
Students gain not just a competition result, but a comprehensive set of communication skills that can be continuously applied to learning, communication, and future development.
Building
International Connections
The Macau Regional Champion will be invited to the UK to attend the IPSC Global Finals
Week, competing alongside outstanding young speakers from around the world. While
expressing their own views, they will learn to listen to and understand diverse voices from different cultural backgrounds.
Through team activities, interactive workshops, national cultural displays, and London cultural visits, participants will broaden their horizons in a real international environment and build genuine and unforgettable connections with outstanding peers worldwide.
From One Stage
to the Future
The impact of IPSC goes far beyond a single competition.
The public speaking, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and intercultural understanding skills participants develop through the competition can become an important foundation for their advancement to higher education, exploration of career paths, and long-term development.
Ugne ŽirguteFrom One IPSC Experience to Broader Connections
If I had to choose the best thing I brought home from London, it wouldn’t be a medal or a new speaking technique. It would be the connections. I left London more confident in my voice, more connected to the world, and more proud of where I come from.
Laure ChabenatFrom IPSC to International University Education
"Participating in the IPSC was the beginning of an incredible journey and an experience I will never forget. ......I got to spend a week with motivated, interesting, determined and ambitious young people and the relationships I built in London went far beyond the competition itself and beyond all borders. Many of us are still in touch over social media and as soon as we have the opportunity to meet again, we do so. "
Markus AksliFrom One Competition Experience to Lifelong Critical Thinking
"Through the IPSC and my reflections afterwards, I’ve learnt that there’s a lot to be said for paying attention to something for 30 minutes rather than 30 seconds, despite everything modern life does to prevent this.There’s something redemptive about thinking hard about an issue, figuring out what’s true, and how you can best convey that to other people. "
Official Learning Resources
Supporting Continuous Growth
Teaching & Academic Resources
The ESU’s official curriculum is designed around the core IPSC public speaking assessment criteria. Through progressive learning modules, it helps students understand the standards of excellent public speaking and systematically improve their content organisation, argumentation, language expression, and stage presence.
ESU Video Examples
A curated selection of speech videos from past outstanding participants offers authentic examples and learning inspiration, helping students gain direct insight into the standards of excellence in expression and delivery on the international public speaking stage.
SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS IPSC
Representatives worldwide are selected through regional or national public speaking competitions. The IPSC Macau, China Regional Selection consists of two rounds: the Preliminary Video Round and the Macau Regional Final. In the Preliminary Round, participants must deliver a speech on the theme designated by ESU.
● 2026-27 Prepared Speech Theme
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
-James Baldwin
SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS IPSC
VIDEO SELECTION COMPETITION INSTRUCTIONS PRELIMINARY ROUND
• PREPARED SPEECH
- Video Duration: 5 minutes. Speeches exceeding or falling short of the required duration by more than 30 seconds may be penalised.
- Speech Content: The speech must relate in some way to the designated theme provided by ESU.
- Amplification microphones may not be used unless required by venue conditions.
- No props or visual aids are permitted; prompt cards may be used.
• Awards
Gold Award: Top 10%Silver Award: Top 10.01% - Top 25%
Bronze Award: Top 25.01% - Top 40%
Gold Award winners in the Preliminary Video Round will advance to the Macau Regional Final.
• Sample Certificate
All participating students will receive a Certificate of Participation. Students who meet the respective award standards will receive an Award Certificate.
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