Secondary schools - Speaking Competition
SPEAKING COMPETITION FOR S3 PUPILS
The Speaking competition is run on a Scotland-wide basis, with local authority heats and a final in Edinburgh. It is one of the few competitions for amateurs and is not open to pupils who have represented their school at any public speaking or debating competition. The prize for the winning team and their teacher is a trip to Brussels to visit the European Parliament and the European Commission. The 2008 competition was sponsored by the European Parliament and the winners were Morag Wells and Nadine Froughi from Lionacleit School, Benbecula, Western Isles who spoke about Romania and the problems of the Roma population. The school has since set up a link with Romania and the Romanian Ambassador to the UK has accepted an invitation to visit Benbecula.
The Trust is currently seeking a sponsor to run this competition in 2009. In the meantime a similar, smaller, competition will be run, open to those schools which took part in the competition in 2008.
“…Greenock’s future lies in Europe and this competition will allow our young people to meet up with their European cousins to discuss issues that are and soon will be a part of their lives” - Derek Hunter, Inverclyde Council
“Preparing and listening to the speeches gave me a new insight into the plight of minorities all over Europe and how they can be helped. The trip to Brussels opened my eyes to opportunities I never knew I had” - Nadine Froughi, Lionacleit School Benbecula, winner Speaking Competition 2008
“The competition embraces the aims and capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence” - Marion Morrison, teacher, Lionacleit School