By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH – The Cambridge English Language Centre, Ipoh Learning and Training Institute (ILTI), successfully produced a generation of skilled speakers through its Storytelling and Public Speaking Competition.
This inaugural competition saw the participation of 59 contestants aged 5 to 18 from various backgrounds. It also featured two online participants from Klang, Selangor, and Shenzhen, China.
Evelyn Chen, Director of Bonanza Educare Schools, stated that skill and perfection in speaking comes from consistent practice.
“Practice is the key to mastering speaking skills. The more you speak, the more confidence you build.
“We will continue guiding to ensure that all students become braver and more confident, especially when performing in front of an audience,” she said during the Storytelling and Public Speaking Competition held at Jalan Woodward, Ipoh, today.
A total of 59 students participated in the competition, which was divided into four categories: Sub-Junior (5-7), Junior (8-11), Pre-Teen (12-14), and Teen (15-18).
Participants aged 7 and above were free to choose between storytelling or public speaking categories.
The competition was judged by ILTI teacher, Lee Sai Liang. The judging criteria included key skills such as audience interaction, intonation, story length, and facial expressions during storytelling.
Kaamini, mother of T. Koventhan, 6, who won first place in the Sub-Junior Category, said that competitions like this provide great exposure and build high self-confidence for her child.
“I am thrilled with my child’s success today. His confidence when speaking in front of an audience moved me deeply. Thank you for organizing this event.
“My child is certainly looking forward to participating in more competitions like this in the future,” she explained.
The first-place winner received a medal and RM100 cash, the second place received RM70, and the third place received RM50. All winners also received a medal and a certificate of participation.
In the Junior Category, first place was won by Medina Safiyya Binti Amir Sahidan, 8, with her story titled The Ant and The Dove.
In the Pre-Teen Category, the champion was Fong Khai Lynn, 14, with a speech titled Overcoming Fear of Failure.
Meanwhile, the Teen Category was won by Tan Wey Jian, 15, with his speech titled The Role of Technology in Education: Pros and Cons.
Founded in 1986, ILTI offers comprehensive English language courses for all ages, levels, and needs, taught by highly qualified and experienced teachers.
To date, over 40,000 students have obtained their Cambridge English Proficiency Certificate from ILTI, located at 2&4 Jalan Woodward, Ipoh.For more information about ILTI, visit www.ilti.edu.my or contact/WhatsApp 010-396 3067.
