37 YMCA th

Plain English Speaking Awards

2024
Singapore
Inter-School Competition

~ Secondary Category ~
~ JC/CI/ITE/Poly Category ~

INFOKIT FOR TEACHERS-IN-CHARGE

Organised by YMCA of Singapore,
In Partnership with The Ministry of Education
and The Speak Good English Movement
INTRODUCTION

YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) 2024 is organised by YMCA of Singapore,
in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Speak Good English Movement.

“Plain English Speaking” is the ability to convey a convincing message to the audience with
sincerity and clarity while using appropriate language. Effective speakers will have their own
personal voice and style. A full description of the qualities of “Plain English Speaking” is
provided in this kit.

There are 3 compulsory components for the competition - Prepared Speech, Impromptu
Speech and Experiential Learning Programme. The latter two are implemented for
participants who qualify for the Semi-finals.

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote public speaking in Plain English as an important social and academic

skill.
2. To provide an avenue for students to sharpen their speaking skills and to build
confidence in public presentation.
3. To provide an opportunity for students to learn by observing proficient speakers.

PARTICIPATION CRITERIA

1. Contestants must be from Secondary Schools^, Junior Colleges, the Centralised

Institute, Institutes of Technical Education, Polytechnics or Private Institutions.
^Secondary school students will compete in a separate category from the
JC/CI/ITE/Poly Category. The secondary school students will compete in two different
categories:
• Lower Secondary Category – Secondary 1 to 2;
• Upper Secondary Category – Secondary 3 to 5
2. Each school may enter FIVE representatives in each category. Polytechnics and ITEs
may send in five representatives per faculty / school. Schools are encouraged to
conduct a school-based competition using the format of the YMCA PESA competition
in selecting their representative(s).

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Information is correct as of printed date.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
3. Past champions may NOT compete again in the same category. They may compete
in a new category.

GENERAL RULES OF PESA

I) General Procedure for Live Competition

1. Photography & videography by members of the audience is STRICTLY

PROHIBITED.
2. Contestants will be seated according to the order of participation.
3. The emcee will introduce each contestant by announcing the contestant’s name,
school and the title of her/his speech.
4. Contestants who are not present during her or his turn, will be disqualified.
5. Contestants are advised to stand at a designated area on the stage and may not
leave the stage until they have completed their speeches.
6. Contestants may use either a clip-on microphone or a wireless handheld microphone
during the competition (subject to availability).
7. There will be an interval of approximately one minute between speeches to allow
judges to grade the presentations.
8. Contestants must remain in their seats until they are called on stage to speak and
must return to their seats immediately after speaking.
9. Contestants and members of the audience are requested to remain silent throughout
the competition to avoid distracting the speakers and judges.
10. Contestants and members of the audience are NOT ALLOWED to communicate with
judges and timekeepers at any time during the competition.
11. This is strictly a Plain English Speaking Competition, NOT a Talent Competition.
Singing, acting, or the playing of an instrument and/or use of props are not
permissible and will be penalised.
12. All participants must avoid making references of a coarse or inappropriate nature.
These include (but are not limited to) inappropriate racial and religious references and
sexual innuendoes. Failure to do so may result in disqualification.
13. Contestants are strongly advised to refrain from using cue cards on stage, and marks
will be deducted should they do so.

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Information is correct as of printed date.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
II) Selection of Judges
Judges will be selected by the organising committee. A minimum of three judges will preside
over each round of the competition. The names of the judges will not be divulged before the
contest.

III) Protests
1. Protests from the audience must be directed to the Secretariat, who will then forward
them to the Chief Judge, prior to the announcement of the results.
2. Protests raised after the announcement of results will not be entertained.
3. The decision of the judges is final.

IV) Guidelines to Plain English

The following guidelines are not intended to be a specific nor prescriptive guide to Plain
English speaking. There are many ways of speaking plainly and effectively. Therefore,
contestants should not feel obliged to speak in one particular way. These guidelines are
meant to give contestants an understanding of the qualities of Plain English speaking. Each
contestant should find his or her own voice.

General Qualities
Speakers should draw on the richness and variety of everyday, conversational English and
focus on the message. In other words, speakers should aim to convey a convincing message
to the audience rather than give a performance.

Advice to teachers who are coaching contestants:

Specific Qualities
Sincerity: Mean what you say and say what you mean. This applies to both the content and
the emotional quality of what you say.

Personal Voice: Find your own voice – your way of speaking.

Aptness: Choose words and phrases which most fully and appropriately convey your
intended meaning. Speakers should choose the simpler expression over the more complex,
and brevity over length.

Clarity: Communicate clearly to your audience.

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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
Engagement: Hold the attention and interest of your audience.

Always remember, you have the SPACE to speak in your own way.

You may include metaphors, idioms, humour, figures of speech, puns, and the use of slang
for effect if you wish to do so. The challenge is to do so effectively and appropriately.

Your body language should be natural and congruent with what you are saying.

Try not to:

 debate
 lecture; and/or
 use jargon and technical language unnecessarily

Do not be:
 theatrical
 formally and unnaturally stylized
 clichéd
 bombastic
 long-winded

Believe in what you are saying and enjoy speaking.

Let your own voice be heard.

V) Judging Criteria
Judges will refer to the description of Plain English provided above as the basis for the
judging criteria. A fundamental criterion is that contestants are required to speak in
internationally acceptable English.

• Language (40%)
o Contestants are expected to speak with grammatical accuracy and clarity. The
effective use of language will also be rewarded.
• Substance (30%)
o The substance of the speech must be relevant throughout to the topic given, be
meaningful and easily understood.
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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
• Personal Voice (30%)
o Contestants should be natural, sincere and able to engage the audience.

COMPETITION SYSTEM

The competition structure is as follows:

Preliminary Rounds (Online)

• Teachers are required to submit the video on the registration portal.
• The guidelines of the video are as follows:
(Please adhere strictly to the guidelines. Failing to do so will result in disqualification.)

Format ▪ .mp4

Resolution ▪ 1920 * 1080 ▪ 1280 * 720 (Acceptable)

(Recommended)
Video Size ▪ 180MB max

Video File ▪ LS_Contestant’s Name_School (for Lower Secondary)

Name ▪ US_Contestant’s Name_School (for Upper Secondary)
▪ JCIP_Contestant’s Name_School (for JC/CI/ITE/POLY)

Important ▪ Background must be plain and white or light-coloured.

things to ▪ Contestants must be properly attired in school uniform (not PE
note: attire). For Poly students, dress as per how you would when making
formal presentations.
▪ Full body of the contestants must be captured in the video.
▪ The use of cue cards (or any other reference) is strictly not allowed.
▪ The videos must be clear and the speeches must be audible.
▪ The video must not be edited.
▪ The video must be in horizontal view.

• Judging will be done based on the videos submitted.

• The top fourteen contestants* with the highest rankings# will be selected for the Semi-
finals.
• The results for the Preliminary Rounds and details of the Semi-finals will be
emailed to the teachers. The results will also be published on YMCA PESA’s
Facebook Page. Teachers are also highly encouraged to follow the YMCA PESA
Facebook Page for the latest updates.

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Information is correct as of printed date.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
Semi-finals (Live)
Prepared Speech – Experiential Learning
• All fourteen semi-finalists* are required to participate in an Experiential Learning
programme (one of the sessions stated in the schedule found on the last page of this
infokit). Failure to participate in the Experiential Learning programme is deemed as
withdrawal from competition.
• The consent form and details of the Experiential Learning component will be provided
when the results for Semi-Finals are released.
• The semi-finalists’ prepared speeches will be based on their experience during the
Experiential Learning component. E.g. What did they learn from the experience? What
was most memorable?
• Semi-finalists are required to submit a copy of their scripts to the Secretariat
([email protected]) at least 3 working days before the Semi-finals.
• All fourteen semi-finalists* will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• The top seven contestants* with the highest combined rankings# for the prepared and
impromptu speeches will proceed to the Finals.
• Semi-finalists are to stay until the end of the Semi-finals for the announcement of
the results.
• The results for the Semi-finals and details of the Finals will also be published on
the YMCA PESA Facebook Page, after the Semi-finals.

Finals (Live)
Prepared Speech – Experiential Learning
• All seven finalists* are required to prepare a new speech about the same
experiential learning trip, based on a different angle.
• Finalists are required to submit a copy of their scripts to the Secretariat
([email protected]), at least 3 working days before the Finals.
• All finalists will present their prepared and impromptu speeches.
• The top 3 award winners of the competition will be selected based on the combined
scores given for the prepared and impromptu speeches.
• Finalists are to stay until the end of the competition for the announcement of the
results.
• The results for the Finals and details for the Awards Presentation Ceremony will
also be published on the YMCA PESA Facebook Page, after the competition.
*These numbers may be subject to change should the number of contestants sharply increase in comparison to previous years.
#
The ranking points are tabulated based on individual judge’s ranking of each contestant.

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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
Competition Rules

A) PREPARED SPEECH

I) Timing of the Speeches

For Preliminary Rounds, Semi-Finals & Finals [2 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds]
Every contestant is required to speak for a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3
minutes 30 seconds. Any contestant who fails to keep within the time limit will be
disqualified (for the preliminary rounds) and/or heavily penalised (for the Semi-finals &
Finals).
The procedure is as follows:
• Timing will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant. The green light will be
turned on after 2 minutes and remain on for 30 seconds.
• The amber light will be turned on after 2 minutes 30 seconds and remain on for 30
seconds.
• The red light will be turned on after 3 minutes to warn the contestant to conclude
his/her speech in 30 seconds. The red light will remain on until the speech has ended.
• In the event of any signal failure, the contestant will be allowed a grace period of 30
seconds.

Note: Contestants are reminded not to conclude their speeches before

the green light comes on!

II) Topics & Preparation

1. The topics for this year’s Preliminary Round are:
Lower Secondary & Upper Secondary JC/CI/ITE/POLY
• Things I Wish They Taught At School • When Life Gives You Lemons
• Please Remind Me When I’m Older • If I Could Clone Someone
• A Song That Represents Me • A Memorable Family Tradition
• A Memorable Family Tradition • The Challenges of My Generation
• Things I Teach My Parents
• When I’m 37, I’ll Be…
• A Truly Singaporean Trait

2. Contestants are required to include an authentic personal experience, relating to the

theme, in Singapore’s context.
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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
3. Contestants must prepare original speeches. The reference to any quotations and
sources used in the speech must be cited during the delivery of the speech.
Plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification.
4. Contestants are not allowed to use past years’ scripts for their speeches.

B) IMPROMPTU SPEECH

i) Objective

This segment enables contestants to demonstrate their ability to improvise and speak
spontaneously. The judging criteria for the impromptu speech are the same as those for the
prepared speech.

ii) Topics & Preparation

1. Topics for the competition will be decided by the organising committee and will be
kept strictly confidential.

2. At the start of the Impromptu Speech segment, all contestants will be led to a holding
area. Each contestant will then be taken into a room (according to the same balloting
sequence as the Prepared Speech segment), where they will select one card out of a
few.

3. Each contestant will then be given two minutes to prepare his/her speech, based on
the topic stated on the chosen card before being led to the stage.

4. Contestants may write short notes in the room while preparing their speeches.
However, they are not allowed to bring their notes on stage.

5. All contestants will speak from the same designated area on the stage.

6. Contestants are expected to be convincing and to speak meaningfully about their

topic.

7. Contestants are advised to refrain from re-introducing themselves when giving their
impromptu speeches. The emcee will introduce all contestants and their topics.
Contestants should begin their speeches immediately.

8. After they have spoken, contestants must return to their seats for the remainder of
the competition.

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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
9. A one-minute interval will be given after each speech to allow judges to grade the
presentations.

iii) Timing of the Speeches

For Semi-Finals & Finals [2 minutes to 3 minutes 30 seconds]
1. Every contestant is required to speak for a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum
of 3 minutes 30 seconds. Any contestant who fails to keep within the time limit
will be heavily penalised.
The procedure will be as follows:

• Timing will begin with the first word uttered by the contestant.
• The green light will be turned on after 2 minutes and remain on for 30
seconds.
• The amber light will be turned on after 2 minutes 30 seconds and remain on
for 30 seconds.
• The red light will be turned on after 3 minutes to warn the contestant to
conclude his/her speech in 30 seconds. The red light will remain on until the
speech has ended.
• In the event of any signal failure, the contestant will be allowed a grace period
of 30 seconds.

THE AWARDS

The national winners from the Pre-School, Primary, Secondary and JC/CI/ITE/Poly
categories will receive the YMCA Plain English Speaking Awards trophy and other prizes
from our sponsors.
Prizes
Champion Plaque, Vouchers, Book Prize, Winner’s Certificate
1st Runner-Up Plaque, Vouchers, Book Prize, Winner’s Certificate
2nd Runner-Up Plaque, Vouchers, Book Prize, Winner’s Certificate
Finalists Book Prize, Finalist’s Certificate
Certificate of Certificate of Achievement
Achievement Note ：A Certificate of Achievement will be given to all contestants
Recipients (excluding the Top 3 Winners and Finalists) who achieve total ranking
points of 25* and below, at any round.
*This figure may change, depending on the overall standard on a yearly basis.

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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
 Registration

1. Teachers will have to complete the registration form on the following portal:
https://www.judgify.me/ymcapesa2024
(Do not share this link with parents. Failure to comply may result in suspension from
participation in the next run.)

2. It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that all submitted information are accurate
and parental consent has been sought.

3. The registration of students must be completed by 20 May 2024 (Monday), 5pm.

4. The videos of speeches are to be uploaded to the same registration portal between
21 May (Tuesday) and 31 May 2024 (Friday), 5pm.

Important Note: All late submissions will be rejected (late submissions will be
determined based on the date/time stamp in PESA’s inbox). Kindly adhere to the
timeline stated above.

Registration Fees & Payment Modes

Registration Fee:
$87.20 per contestant (inc GST)

Registration fees are non-refundable, except in the case where the competition / category is
cancelled. Withdrawals after the registration / non-submission of videos / non-attendance of
the Experiential Learning programme are equivalent to no-show on actual competition dates.
Hence, registration fees are still payable. Non-payment will result in suspension in
subsequent runs.

The following modes are available for selection on the form:

▪ E-Invoice (IFAAS) ▪ Invoice ▪ PayNow

1. For payment via PayNow, please make the transfer using YMCA’s Unique Entity
Number (UEN) - S61SS0045E (PayNow name: YMCA of Singapore).

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The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.
 Please indicate 'PESA - Contestant's Name + School’s Name' in the comment
section. Kindly send a screenshot of the payment transaction to [email protected].
Any transaction made without the submission of a screenshot may result in longer
verification time and may be deemed as a non-receipt of payment. Payments via
PayNow have to be made by the registration deadline, 20 May 2024, 5pm, in order to
complete the registration.

2. For payments via invoice or e-invoice, the invoice will be sent to the school. Teachers
are to ensure the payment is made within the credit terms. If your school is not on
MOE’s IFAAS system, please do not select e-invoice.

3. Requests to issue proof of registration will be subjected to an additional 10%

administrative charge. If the school requires documentation proof of the students’
registration, the teacher may print-screen a copy of the completed registration form.

4. Requests to re-issue invoices with new dates due to schools’ internal

processes (e.g. late processing on IFAAS) or to amend invoices due to
teachers’ typo errors, will be subjected to an additional 10% administrative
charge. Late fees will be imposed on those who fail to pay within credit terms.

5. Requests to reprint certificate(s) due to data input error of the teacher will be
subjected to an additional printing and postage charge of $10 (inc GST) per
certificate.

For more information, please email [email protected]. Do follow us on the official

Facebook page at www.facebook.com.sg/YMCA.PESA for latest updates and
announcements.

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 Date
Registration 23 April to 20 May 2024, 5pm

Upload Videos 21 May to 31 May 2024, 5pm

Judging Period for Preliminary Round 18 June to 12 July 2024

By 5 July 2024 (Secondary & JC/CI/ITE/POLY)
Release of Preliminary Round Results By 15 July 2024 (Primary)
By 26 July 2024 (Pre-School)

Experiential Learning
Date
Session 1 10 July 2024
Session 2 12 July 2024
Session 3 13 July 2024
Session 4 17 July 2024
Session 5 19 July 2024

Semi-Finals
Date Time
Lower Primary 24 July 2024 2pm to 6pm
Upper Primary 25 July 2024 2pm to 6pm
Lower Secondary 30 July 2024 2pm to 6pm
Upper Secondary 31 July 2024 2pm to 6pm
JC/CI/ITE/Poly 1 August 2024 2pm to 6pm

Finals
Date Time
Pre-School 21 August 2024 10am to 12pm
Lower / Upper Primary 21 August 2024 2pm to 5pm
Lower / Upper Secondary 22 August 2024 2pm to 5pm
JC/CI/ITE/Poly 23 August 2024 2pm to 4.30pm

Awards Ceremony 16 September 2024 3.30pm to 5.30pm

Dates and times are subject to change, due to availability of venue and registration figures.

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Updated as of 18/4/2024.
Information is correct as of printed date.
The Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the rules & regulations.