Key facts
- What: An international public speaking competition bringing together students aged 16 to 20 from more than 50 countries around the world
- When: Registration closes in February each year; the final will be held in May
- Take part: Please contact your national ESU for more details on how to get involved in your country
In brief
The International Public Speaking Competition is at the heart of the English-Speaking Union’s mission, bringing together oracy, cultural exchange and a hefty dose of friendly rivalry.
The competition brings the best young speakers from all over the world to London for a week of cultural exchange and public speaking contests. Established in 1980, it now reaches over one million young people in more than 50 countries across the globe, showcasing the highest standard of public speaking, while giving delegates an opportunity to meet and engage with other young people of different backgrounds and nationalities.
Finalists (national winners of the English-Speaking Union’s or other public speaking competitions in their country) must write and deliver a speech connected with the theme for the year’s competition. Past themes have included ‘Culture is not a luxury but a necessity’ and ‘The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they have none’.
What to expect
- Prestigious international competition is highly motivating for students and schools as a whole
- Non-adversarial format which emphasises research, organisation and presentation skills
- Promotes confidence, critical thinking and cultural understanding, broadening participants’ horizons and opportunities
- Experienced ESU judges give constructive feedback to all participants
- Opportunity to build international friendship group
1,000,000
The number of students from 54 countries and regions who took part in the International Public Speaking Competition 2018/19
The IPSC has given me 50 international friends, many stories to share and an adventure I will never forget. I’ve left motivated to work hard, study more and with a passionate interest in other cultures and countries
Eliyana Pilitova
Bulgaria IPSC participant 2018
What young people learn through the English-Speaking Union’s International Public Speaking Competition is how to marshal arguments and persuade people – this is at the heart of international diplomacy.
Baroness D’Souza, former Lord Speaker and Chair of Judges IPSC 2016
Find out more
Questions?
If you have any questions or queries about the International Public Speaking Competition please contact your relevant country or region’s ESU or partner organisation.
Please note, to take part, you must have been selected from your country or region’s public speaking competition. See a full list of international ESUs and partner organisations here.
If you are the organiser of an ESU-recognised national IPSC feeder competition, please click here for further information.
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