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“Speak, Speak, Speak”Junior
Speaking Contest 2009 by Alex Stephens
There was
all to play for during the evening of the 26th January at Lyceum
Oudehoven as eight students evenly divided between years 2 and 3 battled it
out in public for the privilege of representing their school in the regional
championships of the “Speak, Speak, Speak” competition, sponsored by the
National Network of Bilingual Schools and the British Council.
The
structure of the contest would revolve around the presentation of an
argument of not more than four and a half minutes duration by each
competitor in turn, after which three questions would be addressed at them,
one from the jury and two from the floor. All this interspersed by musical
interludes and coffee before two winners, one from each year, would be
announced.
Team
leader TTO Joke Stiphout ushered in a well-attended occasion, outlining for
all the prizes at stake and welcoming a jury of British native speakers made
up of Mrs. Bakker, Mrs. Hubers, Mrs. Schaap and Mr. Tucker, whose pleasant –
yet painful – duty it would be to make a choice out of what promised to be
some active competition between the participating speakers. Enthusiasm and
encouragement were proffered to all as the subject of debate, “Sport” or
“Creativity”, was unveiled...
Hostess Romy van Ieperen set them off.
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First
up was Bei Yi Dong (2GAT1), speaking clearly and engagingly about
the “Land of the Impossible”. Maintaining a measured and even presence,
unruffled by the prospect of speaking before the audience, she
considered the matter of What Creativity Is. Rhetorical questions
abounded as she pondered on our World’s dreams and hopes.
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Sven
van Baren
(3AT2) spoke of its opposite – how the creativity might be being removed
through the pressures and the conveniences of a modern world, a world
within which “boredom” (leisure) as the source of inspiration is
becoming less and less available. A controversial assertion put to
the test by some hard questioning from the audience.
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The
third speaker, Ruben Vrijbrief (2AT2) performed as well as
presented his contribution; a popular and entertaining presentation of
the virtues and duties of an arbiter in sport, with special
reference to the referee in football. At times a little creative in his
use of English, he nevertheless brought a characteristic verve to the
proceedings.
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By way
of contrast Laura Joon (3GT1) returned to “Creativity and Modern
Times”, citing the Humanities in a spirited reflection on music,
languages and architecture. Keeping her head up and avoiding the use of
her cue cards gave her presentation greater authority, leading to a
series of lively questions at its close.
Coffee
followed, contributing, along with a number of musical intermissions such as
“Het is een nacht” by Jelmer Wolters, Aron Vink, Matthijs Smits and
Leonie Lanser (repeated to much acclaim at the end of the evening) and
performances on the piano (Laura Joon and Leonie Lanser), guitar (Jelmer
Wolters) and violin (Eveline de Leeuw), to the relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere enjoyed throughout the event.
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The
audience being suitably refreshed, Aron Vink (2GAT1) considered
as fifth competitor invention and re-invention and the prospect of a
world without creativity at all. A debate ensued regarding graffiti,
youthful imagination (recalling Sven van Baren’s words earlier in the
evening) and the gift of inspiration. A proficient command of
English earmarked his performance.
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This
did not, however, deter Tom Verburg (2AT2) from displaying
seriousness and coherence in a confident and linguistically competent
consideration of creativity and technology. Offering a balanced and
focused argument, he even held his head when challenged as to whether he
considered his own speech to be an act of creativity in itself.
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Ciska
van de Wetering
(3GT1) held forth with a self-assured and fluent interpretation of the
combined values of skill and imagination as the foundation-stones of all
creativity. The listeners were reminded of how we all “give our swing
to everything”, prompting a question as to the extent to which
leisure and freedom – and frustration in their absence – are important
in these matters.
-
Last
to go, but not least, as host Toto Marchand added, was Faron Melisse
(3AT2). Citing Barack Obama, he extended the “Yes we can”
declaration with his own “- Be Creative!”. A confident and
structured rendition, displaying discipline and accurate pronunciation,
it completed an evening marked by diverse and thoughtful handling of the
subject matter by all contestants, and left the jury with no easy
task....
In the
end, Mr. Tucker, announcing the winner from each year, reminded all present
of the necessity to stand up straight, avoid fidgeting, eschew card-reading
and to practice, practice, practice. Tom Verburg and Faron Melisse
were worthy winners on the night, but not without some stiff competition.
Congratulations were offered to all.
With this,
a wonderful evening came to an end, Joke Stiphout thanking all for coming
and now, with the regional championships on the horizon, the real work has
begun.... |
