EATE Open Public Speaking Competition 2025
April 2
The Estonian Association of Teachers of English (EATE) and the English-Speaking Union are delighted to extend an invitation to your best secondary school students aged 16-19 (grades 10-12) to participate in the EATE Open Public Speaking Competition. The event will be held at Tallinn French School (8 Hariduse Street, Tallinn) on 2 April 2025 at 12 o’clock.
This competition provides an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their English language skills, fostering confidence and adaptability in a global environment. Encouraging English language learning at all levels is crucial in a world where language and communication skills are key to success.
Each participating school may enter two speakers and participation in the competition is free.
There are eight different themes for the speakers to choose from:
- Eradicating Poverty: Beyond Survival Toward Prosperity for All
- From Hunger to Hope: Rethinking Food Security and Our Future
- Sustainable Cities: Imagining a Future of Inclusive and Resilient Communities
- Climate Action: Knowing Our Impact and Reimagining a Greener Future
- Decent Work for All: Redefining Human Potential through Fair Opportunities
- Global Health: From Current Realities to a Healthier Tomorrow for All
- Partnerships for Progress: Building Collaborative Futures
- Life Below Water: Understanding What We Are Doing and What We Must Become
Registration
We kindly request schools to pre-register their participation (just school & the number of participants) by 31 January 2025, through this LINK.
We encourage you and your students to seize this unique opportunity for growth and national exposure. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact the organisers (merike.saar@tpl.edu.ee).
Recognition
- The winner of the speech competition will receive a diploma and a small prize.*
- The winner’s instructor will have the opportunity to attend a public speaking training session in Palermo, Porto, Rimini, or Berlin, funded by an Erasmus+ grant from EATE**.
Brief Overview of Speaker Expectations
Prepared Speech
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: one of the given themes narrowed down by the speaker, each speech is expected to carry a unique title.
Palm cards are allowed, but memorisation is highly recommended.
Questions and Answers:
Duration: 3-4 minutes
Semi-Finals (For Qualifying Students):
Prepared Impromptu Speech
Duration: 3 minutes
Topic: provided on the spot, with 15 minutes preparation time.
Permitted materials: English-English dictionary, paper and pen.
Additional Details:
Refer to the official ESU International guidance for speakers .
Event Schedule (2 April 2025):
Venue: Tallinn French School (Hariduse 8, Tallinn)
11:30 – Registration in the hall
12:00 – Opening in the assembly hall
12:15-13:45 – Heats in 4-5 rooms
13:45-14:15 – Free lunch for speakers and teachers
14:30-15:30 – Impromptu Speeches
16:00-17:00 – Finals
17:30 – Awards ceremony and photos
For any enquiries about the competition or the pre-registration process, do not hesitate to contact us at merike.saar@tpl.edu.ee
* Please note that the winner of the EATE Open Public Speaking Competition 2025 will not have the opportunity to represent Estonia at the International Public Speaking Competition in London in May 2025. The representative for the London competition will be selected through the English Olympiad organised by Tallinn University. However, we are working towards uniting the EATE Open Public Speaking Competition and the English Olympiad for the following year.
** or a similar course taking place no later than 30.04.2026
