What they say
Feng Feifei, senior producer, BBC Learning English
Feng recommends methods to help students improve their public speaking skills. “When giving a speech, I often see it as a conversation between myself and the audience,” she says. “As daunting as public speaking is, the speaker’s role is to tell a story, share an experience or provide entertainment.” Feng adds that it is essential to keep the connection with the audience and be confident as well as comfortable with one’s own speech.
Liu Xin, Host of The Point with Liu Xin on China Global Television Network
As the question master for the grand final, Liu looks for someone who talks to her; someone whose speech is genuine, sincere and personal. Speaking about the topic, “Globalization: Enough is Enough”, Liu is impressed by students’ informed opinions. “They provide very good examples using statistics and they have solid arguments,” she says. “It shows how students in China are opening their eyes to the rest of the world.” “I think they are not talking about it (globalization) just because it is a subject they have to talk about,” says Liu. “It is really because they know it, because they live in this globalized environment where China is advocating globalization.”
Lord Paul Boateng, chairman, The English-Speaking Union
Boateng says preparation is the key for a good speech maker. “You need to work out in your mind in advance, what the key messages are,” he says. “And you need always to think and understand your audience — who are they, what do they want, and what do they expect from you.” Speakers should also deliver something out of the ordinary so that they excite the listeners. To excel, Boateng advises contestants to be different in their presentations, arguments and delivery. “Creating a difference and making yourself stand out is a great help,” he says. Boateng also addresses the importance of enjoying the process. “If you are not interested and excited by the topic, and your approach and understanding of the topic, then it is very difficult to get other people to be interested and excited about it.”