At the grand final of the The English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition (ESU IPSC) held in London last May, Hong Kong’s representative, Benjamin Calvin Wu, left the audience spellbound with his exceptionally persuasive and vigorous speech, eliciting thunderous applause.
Wu demonstrated palpable humanity in his interaction with the audience during the question-and-answer session. When a delegate bravely shared her struggle with social anxiety, Wu, who secured a spot in the top six, responded with genuine empathy before diving into his answer.
Wu fondly reminisces about his whirlwind visit to London. As contestants explored the capital city together, bonds of friendship were forged. “We collaborated to make the entire experience more fun,” he recalls.
On the final night, Wu joined a group to listen to speeches by fellow contestants who hadn’t made it to the grand final. This experience encapsulated the true spirit of the competition—giving a voice to people and the issues they are passionate about, he believes.
The trip also exposed Wu to a rich variety of public speaking styles. Each finalist had their unique approach, ranging from reserved and methodical to dramatic. “I relished the diversity,” Wu reflects.
Considering Wu’s highly polished performances, it’s remarkable that he only began training four years ago. Joan Cho, his school’s public speaking coach, identified his talent and potential. “She believes my voice is well-suited for public speaking,” shares Wu, who will advance to Form Five at the Diocesan Boys’ School in September.
For Wu, public speaking is akin to storytelling—an opportunity to express himself creatively and offer diverse interpretations of a topic. Unlike debates, it isn’t bound by specific motions. “Real-time audience response and eye contact are fascinating,” Wu says. “By gauging their reactions, a speaker can adjust delivery or even go off-script.”
Selecting the right topic is crucial for excelling in public speaking. “It needs to resonate with the audience,” Wu notes. He follows three criteria: personal interest, audience engagement, and the importance of the message. “Based on these, I craft my speech efficiently,” he notes, emphasising that the audience always senses the speaker’s genuine passion.
Impromptu speech presents a different challenge. Contestants receive a topic—a quote, phrase, or word—and have around 10 minutes to prepare a three-to-five-minute speech. Building general knowledge is essential. “I explore news websites and non-fiction books,” Wu shares. “The beauty of impromptu speech lies in finding a topic you’re passionate about. When I speak on a specific subject, I link it to the issues I want to address.”
Anticipating judges’ or audience questions is helpful. “I strategically leave some questions unanswered or avoid excessive detail,” Wu adds. “It helps guide them to ask questions in a specific direction.”
Wu is wholeheartedly dedicated to public speaking, finding immense fulfilment in it. With years of experience in both local and international competitions, he has assumed the role of a coach, guiding junior students at his school to hone their skills.
Wu’s unwavering dedication shone through as he took the stage at the HKFYG English Public Speaking Contest. After two previous attempts, he finally clinched the championship in the senior division in 2024. His victory propelled him to represent Hong Kong on the international stage at the ESU IPSC – an annual competition organised by the English-Speaking Union in London. Wu’s participation in the ESU IPSC was supported by the English-Speaking Union (Hong Kong).
ESUHK has been collaborating with the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research of the Education Bureau (SCOLAR) since 2006 to curate and deliver a full range of English-in-Action Programmes. These innovative education programmes aim to help students enhance their English speaking skills in a fun and collaborative manner.
One of these programmes is the “Impromptu Speaking,” designed for students from secondary two to five. It focuses on building confidence and teaching various English speaking skills. Students learn to think quickly about speech content while honing their English writing and speaking abilities. The course also emphasises organising speech structures, including introductions, argumentation, and conclusions, to enhance persuasiveness.
Additionally, ESUHK offers the “Reader’s Theatre”, which ignites students’ interest in learning English. Selected novels in various styles serve as teaching materials for English drama reading. Exciting scenes from these novels are transformed into English play dialogues.
The ESUHK’s Native English Teachers guide the students in various English drama skills in class, including character introduction, breathing techniques, body language, and reading practice.
The English-Speaking Union Hong Kong (ESUHK) was founded in 2001 as an independent, non-profit organization to promote local and international understanding through English. ESUHK is a registered charity affiliated with an international organization established in 1918, with branches in over fifty countries. Since 2006, ESUHK has collaborated with SCOLAR’s English-in-Action Programmes to promote English in local schools, offering creative and innovative education programmes to help students enhance their English-speaking skills. Additionally, ESUHK provides teachers’ training, adult play-reading workshops, and regional and international forums for students to communicate using English as a second language.
1. Reader’s Theatre
Reader’s Theatre uses vocal expression to convey stories without sets, costumes, or makeup. Visiting tutors focus on skills like nouns, verbs, pronunciation, and tone to perfect the performance. This method effectively enhances English language and communication. ESUHK has run the “Reader’s Theatre” program for three biennia, receiving a positive response with a waitlist of over 100 schools.
Programme aims and expected outcomes
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Arouse interest in local secondary students via an engaging English language activity.
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Build confidence by practising oral skills via reading, analysing scripts in group discussions, and “question and answer” activities.
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Broaden vocabulary and perfect pronunciation, gaining exposure to the English language.
2. Impromptu Speaking
Programme aims and expected outcomes
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Organise content and speak successfully with little to no preparation.
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Practise quick thinking and effective idea organization.
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Learn coping strategies and how to speak fluently.
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Students will learn how to write brief and interesting speeches, how to deliver them, and impress the audience.
For more information, please visit ESUHK’s website, Facebook page, or Instagram account.
