Public speaking contest best way to improve English proficiency
KOTA KINABALU: Public speaking competition is one of the best ways to improve English proficiency, especially among the younger generation.
Public speaking could greatly raise the standard of English among students of higher learning institutions, said Teacher Training Institute (IPG) Gaya Campus Head of Language Department, Juliana Johari.
“At IPG Gaya, English is our niche area. This competition is only one of the activities that could improve English among students.
“The standard of English among today’s participants is good. It’s not something shocking, but I’m glad a lot of them could speak, even during the impromptu session,” she said.
IPG Gaya held its second Sabah and Sarawak Zone Higher Educational Institution Public Speaking Competition yesterday, which received participation from 13 students of seven institutions across East Malaysia.
Juliana expressed hope to see more participants in the biennial competition, adding that she hoped to expand the competition to include participants from the whole of Malaysia in the near future.
“In 2020, we hope to receive more participants from Sarawak and all institutions in Sabah. We also hope that it could be extended to other states,” she said.
IPG Gaya director Gertrude Jock, in her closing remarks, said the competition was also to showcase students’ talents as well as encourage youths to speak up.
“Public speaking is being made compulsory because we have to set up corners everywhere, which means your voice is important and you need to share your opinions and views on certain matters,” she said.
Gloria Anak Guntor of IPGK Batu Lintang, Kuching, emerged champion in the competition while Farah Adila Jamil of IPG Kent, Tuaran came in second and Geoffery Sim Ming Hong from Institute Sinaran, Kota Kinabalu was in third place.