Education Programs

International Public Speaking Competition

The International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) brings together outstandingly articulate young people from all over the world for a week of public speaking competition and international cultural exchange with the ESU of the Commonwealth in London. The finalist contestants meet and learn with their peers of different backgrounds and cultures from some 50 countries. Through all its qualifying levels, the program engages more than 40,000 young people globally.  

Registration is now open for the 2024 IPSC! 

A celebration of young people's voices, world-class competition and global cultural exchange, the 2024 IPSC programme will run from Monday, 13 May to the evening of Friday, May 17, 2024. 

Eligibility You must be 16 - 20 years old You must be a US Citizen You must be available for the entire IPSC program in London May 13 - 17, 2024 The Grand Final is at the Royal Institute

Timeline

February 24, 2024  Video Submissions for US National Competition Due.

Week of March 14, 2024 US National Winner Notified

March 24, 2024 US Participant Registration Form Due

The ESU US National Competition Winner receives:         an all-expense paid trip to London to represent the United States in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition May 13 - 17, 2024 in London!

About Submitting

The 2024 IPSC Themes

• The National/Regional Theme is: "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so"
• The Theme for the prepared speech heats of the International Competition is: "A great leader can change the world in an instant"
• Please Note: those advancing to the IPSC Final in London will be asked to give their speech on "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so"

Video speech submissions for the National/Regional Competition are due: February 24th  As you prepare your video entry, please review the Guidance for IPSC Speakers 2024 packet as reference. All participants in the 2023 competition must make a recording of their performance. Recordings must be 5 minutes or under on the IPSC National Theme:"There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so" Please upload your video to YouTube and enter the complete video address in the submission link below. PLEASE MAKE YOUR VIDEO UNLISTED. If you have any issues with your video upload, please contact Alice Uhl at auhl@esuus.org

PAST ESU NATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER:

Meet Ali Cohen, the 2018 American Delegate

Read about Ali Cohen's Speech at the Grand Final

Read Ali's blog from London

Congratulations to Md Zaman, who represented the ESU US at the 2023 ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London in May. He participated with students from 30 countries during a week of cultural exchange and public speaking workshops and competitions. 

Newsletter from MD's High School

IPSC in the News

Wrangler News – June 13, 2018

For many high school students, the end of the spring semester and the advent of the warmer summer months are a time to relax from the rigors of academia, maybe by sleeping in or just sitting beside the pool.

Let's just say that Ali Cohen has an entirely different agenda on tap. Read full story.

East Valley Tribune – May 27, 2018

Ali Cohen of Chandler spoke in London last week as the American delegate at the Grand Final of the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition.

The Chandler Preparatory Academy junior used her platform to urge those who have power and influence in the world to speak out for uneducated girls in their fight for education, opportunity and equality. Read full story.

Inquirer.net – May 23, 2018

In chilly London last week, Johanne Jazmin Tan Jabines was given five minutes onstage. It was all the time the 20-year-old needed to share her meeting with a dearly missed relative and wow the competition's judges and her global audience. Read full story.

MENAFN – May 21, 2018

Chandler Prep Academy junior is a Grand Finalist at the International Public Speaking Competition -- English in Action. Read full story.