Braving the Stage: Australasian Public Speaking Championships

08 March 2024

On the 2nd and 3rd of March 2024, the Asia Pacific region witnessed a remarkable convergence of talents and skills at the recently concluded edition of the Australasian Public Speaking Championships hosted by EduDrift. The event drew participants aged 7 to 18 from across the region and virtually competed in three distinct speaking segments: Interpretive Reading, Impromptu Speaking, and Persuasive Speaking.

While only founded in 2022, the Australasian Public Speaking Championships already stands out as the premier public speaking event across the Asia Pacific region designed specifically for middle and high school students. This year, the event welcomed the participation of the following institutions from across the Asia Pacific region:

Chadwick International School
Daegu International School
Daemyeong Middle School
Dulwich College Seoul
Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies
Korea International School
Saint Paul Preparatory Seoul
Seokwoo Middle School
Seoul Apgujeong Elementary School
Seoul Foreign School
Seoul International School
St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju

Beyond the thrill of the championships, the tournament highlighted the virtual role that effective communication holds. Its three-pronged methodology provides a stage for both emerging and experienced speakers to showcase their abilities and refine their skills at the same time. With each round, the speakers rose to the challenge and pushed the boundaries of their abilities, leaving the audience inspired and the judges impressed by the transformative impact of their performances.

Accordingly, we extend sincerest congratulations to the following speakers for taking home the Champion titles for each speaking segment:

Impromptu Speaking (Senior Category) Co-Champions

  • Taehee Kim, Korea International School
  • Hannah Oh, Seoul Foreign School

Interpretive Reading (Senior Category) Co-Champions

  • Soobin Park, Chadwick International School
  • Seoyeon Shirley Park, Chadwick International School

Persuasive Speaking (Senior Category) Champion

  • 金方喆 Gene, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School

Impromptu Speaking (Junior Category) Champion

  • Alex (Hayoung) Jung, Seoul Foreign School

Interpretive Reading (Junior Category) Champion

  • Michelle Oum, St. Paul Seoul

Persuasive Speaking (Junior Category) Champion

  • Jaiveer Bansal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon

It is no easy feat standing before an audience and speaking with both conviction and clarity. The championships underscored the courage required to overcome stage fright, self-doubt, and the fear of judgment. This is why we also commend the following speakers for their outstanding performances, earning them the following awards:

Overall Best Speakers

Overall Best: Hannah Oh, Seoul Foreign School

2nd Best: Seoyeon Shirley Park, Chadwick International School

Co-3rd Best: Ethan Suh, Seoul Foreign School

Co-3rd Best: Alex (Hayoung) Jung, Seoul Foreign School

5th Best: Jane Hahn, Chadwick International

6th Best: Leanne Yoon, Daegu International School

7th Best: Seoyoun Lee, Seoul Foreign School

8th Best: Victoria Oh, Seokwoo Middle School

9th Best: Aidan Kopp, Seoul Foreign School

Co-10th Best: Soobin Park, Chadwick International School

Co-10th Best: Jane Helen Lee, Dulwich College Seoul

Best Speakers per Speaking Segment (Senior Category)
Top 10 Best Persuasive Speakers

Co-Overall Best: Hannah Oh, Seoul Foreign School

Co-Overall Best: Jane Hahn, Chadwick International

Co-3rd Best: Yaewon Cho, Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies

Co-3rd Best: Seoyeon Shirley Park, Chadwick International School

Co-5th Best: Aidan Kopp, Seoul Foreign School

Co-5th Best: Taehee Kim, Korea International School

Co-5th Best: Alex (Hayoung) Jung, Seoul Foreign School

Co-8th Best: Ethan Suh, Seoul Foreign School

Co-8th Best: Seoyoun Lee, Seoul Foreign School

Co-10th Best: Minseung Kim, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju

Co-10th Best: Ye-Uhn Kim, Seoul Foreign School

Best Speakers per Speaking Segment (Junior Category)
Top 5 Best Persuasive Speakers

Overall Best: 金方喆 Jin, Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School

2nd Best: Sienna Choo, Seoul Apgujeong Elementary School

3rd Best: Jaiveer Bansal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon

4th Best: Suri Boryang Kim, PGMS

5th Best: Josephine Lee, Chadwick International School

As these speakers unveiled their talents, stories, and insights, they reinforced the notion that mastering the art of public speaking transcends mere competition; rather it is a fundamental skill essential for personal growth and development, extending far beyond formal education. The Australasian Public Speaking Championships stands as a testament to the courage needed to speak in front of audiences, the eloquence that knows no bounds, and the profound impact an individual can wield over the collective. We celebrate their achievements thus far and eagerly await as they embrace new tournaments and challenges within the field of public speaking and beyond.