Monday 12th May 2025
Stamford Student Represents England and Wales in International Public Speaking Final
This week, Tessa (Y12) will be representing England and Wales in the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking competition in London. She will be joining students from over 40 countries, culminating in the top six speakers in the world battling it out for the top spot in the Grand Final, to be held at the Royal Institution.
Tessa was invited to take part after being chosen as National Best Speaker in the ESU national public speaking competition last year. The Stamford team, coached by Mrs Eleanor Herdale, reached the national final last year.
She will spend four days based in Mayfair at the ESU Headquarters in Dartmouth House, sharing a hotel room with another participant from a different country for the week. She will have the opportunity to enjoy two days of oracy coaching and cultural events before the semi-final – two heats of impromptu public speaking in the morning, followed by prepared speeches in the afternoon. Six participants will make it through to the Grand Final and all participants have been asked to prepare a second speech in case they reach this final hurdle. Participants have been given quotes to inspire them, and Tess has chosen to focus on “The Crucible of Change” and “The Confines of Expectation”.
Tessa commented: “This is the fourth year I have competed in the ESU Public Speaking competition, and It’s been an amazing experience. Writing speeches for this international competition has definitely been more of a challenge as the topics are so open- ended, but I’ve really enjoyed the greater scope and freedom this has allowed me. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m really honoured to take part”.