Penangite out to make M’sia proud
Estelle Sia Yu Qi, who bowled the judges over with her words, wit and style at the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Malaysia-Taylor’s Public Speaking Competition recently, is headed to London, the United Kingdom, to compete in the international challenge.

The winner of the national-level competition, held at the Taylor’s College Lakeside Campus in Subang, Selangor, on April 20, will represent Malaysia at the 43rd International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) in London from May 13 to 17.

Among the world’s most prestigious public speaking competitions, the IPSC brings together national public speaking champions aged 16 to 20 from over 50 countries for a week of international cultural exchange and friendly competition.

Sia, who also bagged a prize money of RM1,500, will be in London for six days for the competition.

Her institution, INTI International College, Penang, was also awarded a cash prize of RM500.

The win has yet to sink in, said the A-Levels student.

“It still doesn’t feel real! When the results were being announced, I was wracked with anxiety.

“Hearing the emcee call out my name was a huge surprise.

“Competing against these incredible speakers from all over the country was such a fun yet eye-opening experience,” Sia said in a press release.

Jenny Ooi Jie Yuee from Prince of Wales Island International School, Penang, and Evan Au-Yong Tjun Jie from Sunway College, Subang Jaya, placed second and third, respectively.

Ooi went home with an RM1,000 cash prize while Au-Yong received RM500 for his effort.

The competition was organised by ESU Malaysia and Taylor’s College with the support of Orbix Education Group and the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking.

All finalists received a certificate of merit. Consolation prizes included RM250 cash for each remaining finalist.

Some 100 students took part in the preliminary round of the competition to deliver speeches based on the theme “There is Nothing Either Good or Bad But Thinking Makes It So”.

Participants were judged based on their expression, delivery, reasoning evidence, organisation and prioritisation.

In the final round, the speakers were required to provide impromptu replies to two questions posed by the judges as their ability to listen and respond was also evaluated.

The participants, said ESU Malaysia chairman Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, did very well.

“It is encouraging that their English is good as it is a global language.

“Hopefully, the language will be used more in Malaysia because practice makes perfect,” she said.

Its campus director Josephine Tan said Taylor’s College has been a staunch advocate for nurturing and empowering the next generation of leaders through the refinement of their soft skills in leadership, communication, and critical and creative thinking.

Applauding the students for their effort, she said the college takes immense pride in its partnership with esteemed institutions like ESU Malaysia which are instrumental in guiding students to discover their strengths and passions.

“Central to our ethos is the belief that education should serve as a catalyst, empowering individuals to realise their full potential, make meaningful societal contributions and effect positive change in the world,“ she said.
education,ESU,MIDP,public speaking,English proficiency,INTI,IPSC
Estelle Sia Yu Qi, who bowled the judges over with her words, wit and style at the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Malaysia-Taylor’s Public Speaking Competition recently, is headed to London, the United Kingdom, to compete in the international challenge.