Festival of Speaking
Small voices, big ideas.
Intro
In a short speech in English, each child shares a story, an idea or something they care about with an audience of friends, families and teachers.
For children in 3rd and 4th grade, standing up and speaking in front of others is a big step, and a brave one. Festival of Speaking celebrates exactly that: young speakers finding their voice, sharing their ideas with confidence and discovering that what they have to say matters. Small voices, big ideas.
How it works
Festival of Speaking is a free English public speaking competition for pupils in grades III–IV in the 2026–2027 school year. It runs only in partner counties, each with its own local event, and pupils can take part only in the county where their school is.
- Sign up. Registration is online, through the form published by the local organiser in your school’s county.
- Prepare. Write a speech of about 2 minutes, in English, inspired by this year’s theme. Give it your own title.
- Speak. On the day, speakers go up in random order. Paper cue cards are welcome; props, slides and phones are not.
- Answer. After each speech, the other pupils ask questions. If no one does, the judges ask at least one.
Every child must be accompanied by an adult on the day.
The topic
„We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” — Inspired by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Dates, organizers and registration forms
| County | Host School | Registration period | Event date | Registration form | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacău | Școala Gimnazială „Constantin Platon” Bacău | 15 November – 15 December 2026 | 23 January 2027 | BC form | |
| Brașov | Sam Academy | TBA | TBA | ||
| Brăila | Colegiul Național „Gheorghe Munteanu Murgoci” | 15 November – 15 December 2026 | 29 January 2027 | BR form | |
| Cluj | Colegiul Național „Emil Racoviță” | TBA | TBA | ||
| Galați | Școala Gimnazială nr. 29 Galați | 15 November – 15 December 2026 | 30 January 2027 | GL form | |
| Suceava | Școala Gimnazială nr. 1 Suceava | TBA | TBA |
Festival of Speaking runs only in partner counties, each with its own local event.
What the judges look for
Judges score each speech out of 100 and adjust their expectations to the children’s age. Above all, they reward clarity, courage and original ideas.
- Delivery (35 points): speaking clearly, loudly enough and not too fast, making eye contact, and using gestures and expression.
- Content and ideas (35 points): staying on theme, sharing your own ideas, and using clear, fitting examples.
- Structure (15 points): a beginning, a middle and an end, with ideas that connect and a speech that fits the time.
- Answering questions (15 points): listening carefully and answering to the point, calmly and confidently.
Why take part
- Confidence: speaking in front of an audience gets easier every time.
- English: using the language for real, not just in class.
- Clear thinking: learning to shape ideas into a speech with a beginning, middle and end.
- Listening: practising how to understand a question and give a thoughtful answer.
- Recognition: every pupil gets a diploma, and teachers involved receive an ESU certificate.
- Free to enter.