The National Public Speaking Competition in English is the flagship programme of the ESU Romania and the oldest and most prestigious public speaking competition in the country. It started out in 1996 with only a few schools in Bucharest and has since become a national competition with more than 2000 students enrolling every year.
The 2023 – 2024 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition in English was very successful with more than 4000 students enrolled in all age groups. The finals took place on March 10, 2024 at the International Computer High-School of Bucharest.
The final was adjudicated by Emanuel Beteringhe – founder of DebateX, Roy Chambers – Deputy Head of Secondary at the International British School of Bucharest and Beatrice Paun – winner of the 2022-2023 National Public Speaking Competition and runner – up in the Grand final in London.
The ranking in the finals was:
1st prize – Giulia Chiriac – Colegiul Național Petru Rares Suceava – Silver Lining
2nd prize -Tudor Râpă Bălan – Colegiul Național Emil Racoviță Cluj – Feeling
3rd Prize – Patricia Ilie – Colegiul Național George Coșbuc București – Shall we vote on this?
Honourable Mention – Adriana Letitia Mihaila – Colegiul National Gheorghe Lazar Bucuresti
The 2022 – 2023 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition took place in – person and the finals took place on March 26, 2023 at the International Computer High-School of Bucharest.
The jury consisted of Mr. Kendall Peet – Head of the International British School of Bucharest, Ms. Ela Nicolae – President of ESU Romania, Cristina Rusu – Emil Racovita National College, Cluj, Eliza Iordache & Postelnicu Irina – the International Computer High-School of Bucharest.
The winner of the competition was Beatrice Păun, from I.L. Caragiale National College. The runner-up was Tudor Beldiman from Jean Louis Calderon Highschool in Timisoara.
The finals of the 2021-2022 National Public Speaking Competition in English took place on March 30, 2022 and were streamed live on our Facebook page.
The jury consisted of Mr. Kendall Peet, Head of the International British School of Bucharest, Mr. Redmund Macer – Director of Ignis Global Recruitment and Mr. Mihnea Loi, winner of the 2020 and 2021 finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English.
Prizes were awarded to:
Elena Rad from Emil Racovita National College in Cluj – 1st prize
Patrick Spitzer from Iulia Hasdeu Highschool in Lugoj – 2nd prize
Tudor Moldovan from Emil Racovita National College in Cluj – 3rd prize
Mara Nemes from Unirea National College in Târgu Mureș – Honourable mention.
The finals of the 2020-2021 National Public Speaking Competition in English took place on March 31 and were streamed live on our Facebook page.
The jury consisted of Mr. Kendall Peet, Head of the International British School of Bucharest, Mr. Adrian Leondraliu – trainer with the Public Speaking School, and Mr. Redmund Macer – Director of Ignis Global Recruitment.
The prizes were awarded to:
1st prize – Mihnea Loi, Colegiul Național ˝Gh. M. Murgoci”, Brăila
2nd prize – Victor Mocanu , Colegiul Național ˝Gh. M. Murgoci”, Brăila
3rd prize – Georgiana Farcasel, Colegiul Național “Roman Vodă”, Neamț
Honourable mention – Brianna Simina Rațiu, Colegiul Național “Moise Nicoară” Arad
The finals of the 2019 – 2020 edition took place in digital form due to the Covid 19 pandemic and were streamed live on our Facebook page. The jury consisted of Ms. Ilinca Buciu, Public Speaking Coach and English Professional from George Coșbuc National College, Ms. Amalia Năstase, Public Speaking Coach and Mr. Kendall Peet, Head of the International British School of Bucharest.
The finals of the National Public Speaking Competition took place on June 2, 2020 and can continue to be viewed on our Facebook page.
The Jockey Club Romania was the gracious host of the 2018-2019 finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English. The jury consisted of Mr. Kendall Peet, Head of the International British School of Bucharest; Ms. Andreea Tănase, Director of Lowland International Romania and Ms. Ela Nicolae, President of the ESU Romania.
Click here to watch the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English.
The finals of the 2017 – 2018 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition were once again hosted by the Jockey Club Romania. The distinguished members of the jury for this edition were: Mr. Kendall Peet, Head of the International British School of Bucharest; Professor Mariana Nicolae, Ph.D. – Head of Modern Languages and Business Communication Department, Bucharest University of Economic Studies and Ms. Ela Nicolae, President of the ESU Romania.
Click here to watch the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English.
The finals of the 2016 – 2017 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition took place at the British Council Romania. The jury consisted of Mr. ALAN CORNISH, Head of Primary, The International British School of Bucharest; Professor MARIANA NICOLAE, Ph.D., Head of Modern Languages and Business Communication Department, Bucharest University of Economic Studies and Ms. LORRAINE MACHAJ from the British Council Romania.
Click here to watch the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English.
For the 2015-2016 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition in English we had 3656 participants enrolled in the National Public Speaking Competition in English with 2491 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 1165 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Jockey Club. The jury consisted of Mr. KENDALL PEET, Head of The International British School of Bucharest, Mr. SHANE EGAN, from the British Council Romania, and Ms. MARIA BUJAN, Inspector for English from The Romanian Ministry of Education. The winner of the 2016 National Public Speaking Competition was Tudor Suciu from Grigore Moisil High School in Timisoara.
Click here to see the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition.
In the 2014-2015 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition in English, we had 2372 participants with 1583 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 784 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Jockey Club. The jury consisted of Mr. DUNCAN MOTHERSILL, Deputy Teaching Centre Manager from the British Council Romania, Mr. KENDALL PEET, Head of The International British School of Bucharest and Mrs. ANCA MARIANA PEGULESCU, Inspector General for English, The Romanian Ministry of Education. The winner of the 2015 National Public Speaking Competition was Iuliana Nyerges from Mihai Viteazul High School in Bucharest.
To watch the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English click here.
We had 2070 participants enrolled in the 2013 – 2014 National Public Speaking Competition in English with 1570 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 500 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Jockey Club. The chairman of the jury was Mr. DAVID COSTELLO, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ireland. The other members of the jury included Mr. DUNCAN MOTHERSILL, Deputy Teaching Centre Manager from the British Council Romania, Mrs. ANCA MARIANA PEGULESCU, Inspector General for English, The Romanian Ministry of Education, Ms. KENDALL PEET, Head of The International British School of Bucharest.
Click here to watch the winning speech.
The 2012 – 2013 edition of the National Public Speaking Competition in English had 1046 participants with 816 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 230 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Jockey Club. The chairman of the jury was Mr. RAYMOND BREDEN, President of the British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce. The other members of the jury included Mr. DAVID COSTELLO, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Ireland, Mrs. ANCA MARIANA PEGULESCU, Inspector General for English, The Romanian Ministry of Education, Ms. DEBORAH THOMAS, Human Resources Officer of the U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Mr. DUNCAN MOTHERSILL – Deputy Teaching Centre Manager from the British Council Romania.
Click here to watch the winning speech.
For the 2011 – 2012 edition we had 980 participants enrolled in the National Public Speaking Competition in English with 685 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 295 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Palace of Parliament under the High Patronage of Ms. Roberta Alma Anastase, Head of the Chamber of Deputies.
The chairman of the jury was Mrs. ANCA MARIANA PEGULESCU, Inspector General for English, The Romanian Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sport.
The others members of the jury included Ms. Edwina Sagitto, Cultural Attache, US Embassy; Mr. Andrei Marinescu, ARDOR Muntenia; Mrs. Monica Ralea, Projects Manager at the British Council and Cristian Bândea from Realitatea TV.
Click here to watch the winning speech.
In the 2010 – 2011 edition we had 1165 participants enrolled in the National Public Speaking Competition in English with 216 enrollments in the 8-11 age group, 613 enrollments in the 12-15 age group and 336 enrollments in the 16-20 age group.
The finals for the 16-20 age group were held at the Palace of Parliament under the High Patronage of Ms. Roberta Alma Anastase, Head of the Chamber of Deputies.
The Chairman of the jury was HE Mr. Martin Harris, The UK Ambassador to Romania. The other members of the jury included Mr. MICAH SAVIDGE, Political Officer, US Embassy; Mrs. DORINA GUŢU, Executive Director, Romanian-U.S. Fulbright Commission; Mrs. ANCA MARIANA PEGULESCU, Inspector General for English, The Romanian Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sport and Mr. JONATHAN GAYTHER, Director English Language Services Romania at the British Council.
Click here to watch the winning speech.