Speaking American Talks

Public Speaking Contests 2012

2012-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

How about trying some Public Speaking
this year? Speaking American offers
contests in Massachusetts for
Grades 3-4-5-6-7-8 this year.
Yes, there are prizes. Check out our
Home Pages for details and deadline
for Application form to enter a contest--
February 10th. Finals are scheduled
for Sunday, April 1st at the Boston Public
Library (BPL). Ask your Teacher. Why not
give it a try. Also, no fees are required
for participation. And there are advantages
to gain confidence by doing some speaking
in public. Act now.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2011-11-17T08:47:00.000-08:00

WE have so much to be thankful for even though
daily we hear of another thing to worry about.
Let's make an effort to celebrate the things we can
be thankful for starting with our freedoms and you
can make your own list of blessings.
One of those freedoms here in the USA is Freedom
of Speech. Our mission at Speaking American is to
encourage youngsters to take advantage of this by
building confidence to communicate to an audience
including parents, friends, and students of different
schools. We offer annual statewide Public Speaking
contests in Massachusetts. For 2012 Grades 3-4 have
a required theme focusing on US Postage Stamps. Grade 5
students are free to choose a topic. Grade 6 students
have We the People to talk about. We offer Bi-lingual
Talks also. For 2012 Grades 7-8 talks will be in
English and CHINESE.
Applications for entering the contests are posted as well
as more info on the Calendar deadlines, such as
February 10th to enter.
Pass on the word and the opportunity. Hear what these
youngsters have to say. It's something to be thankful for.

1-Minute Talks 2012 for Grades 3-4

2011-10-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

There is a required theme for the Public Speaking
Talks for Grades 3 and 4. The theme for 2012 is
USA POSTAGE STAMPS. Contestants may choose
a stamp or stamps for their recitation. Describe the
stamp/s and tell why it/they caught your attention.
Contestants may use props, such as a poster of
the stamp/s, an enlarged picture of the stamp or
something related to describe the stamp/s.
Postage Stamps have always had a type of
fascination for many people throughout the world.
This 2012 Public Speaking contest should be fun.
Ask your Teacher about participating. Entry
deadline is February 2012. See Calendar of Events
on our Home Page. There is no expensive fee for
entry. The Finals will be held at the Boston Public
Library (BPL) on Sunday, April 1, 2012. Hope to
see you there at our Speaking American forum.
Yes, there are prizes!

WE THE PEOPLE Talks Starting 2012

2011-09-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day to remind you of the We the People
public speaking talks we have announced to add to
the Talk contests offered by Speaking American.
Starting in 2012, students in Grade 6 across
Massachusetts will have the opportunity to present
a 2-Minute Talk on some aspect of We the People--
the first words that introduce the highest law in the
USA, that is, the US Constitution.
September 11th is a day that reminds us of our history,
challenges, vulnerabilities, strengths and possibilities
as a nation. For youngsters, learning the "basics"
of our goals as a nation and what makes the USA
unique among other democracies in the world, is essential
to achieve those possibilities. Schools across the nation
will be observing US Constitution Week this month.
During this time, kids have a chance to learn a "basic"
that they can "dig into" as in "hey, this is important!"
Speaking American offers students in Grade 6 to do
some public speaking about some aspect of the US
Constitution that they know and want to share by means
of a 2-Minute Talk before a live audience. Watch for
our upcoming We the People contest posts. Yes, there are
prizes awarded at the Finals held in Boston.
"Are you guys ready? OK. Let's roll!"

Bilingual Results-- English and Chinese 2011

2011-04-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

BOSTON, April 10-- I asked the audience how many of them actually had ever heard someone speak Chinese in person, that is, face-to-face. Portia Chambers (wearing glasses) said she has heard some of her relatives. An adult said she had taken the very popular bus to NY from Chinatown and that gave her a chance to listen. For the rest, this was a "first"!

[PHOTO/Kate Samp] Winner Grade 7-- KEVIN HALEY, Worcester Academy The Little Brook, the Lake and the Great Ocean/Xiao(3) xi(1), hu(2) po(1) he(2) da(4) hai(3) Winner Grade 8-- ROWEN PRICE, Worcester Academy Customs/ Xi(2) guan(4)

Photo of Judges Congratulating Contestants

2011-04-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Cathy Goodwin and George Brown shake hands with

students Emily LaFlash (left) and Michelle Loven (right)

Winner of the 5th Grade Public Speaking contest held

at the Boston Public Library (BPL). PHOTO/Kate Samp

Photojournalist coverage-- Finals 2011

2011-04-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Olivia Brown, Grade 3 Winner of Speaking American's

Public Speaking 1-Minute Talks contest wants David Ortiz

to be a Guest Speaker at her school. She's a fan dressed

for the event! PHOTO/ Kate Samp

We the People Talks for Grade 6-- New for 2012

2011-04-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

Heidi Wolf, Founder of Speaking American, announced the launch of a new Grade 6 contest starting in 2012-- We the People Talks based on the US Constitution, the nation's highest law. Ms. Wolf said that schools across America celebrate the US Constitution each mid-September. Now, Grade 6 students in Massachusetts can share what they know by doing some Public Speaking in our special contest. Cash prizes will be awarded for a 2-Minute Talk delivered by a single contestant (go-it-alone) or by a team of two (partners). Look for details in our future postings and click on POST A COMMENT below for your thoughts and questions. Thanks.

Spring Speech Finals-- Winners & Talks

2011-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

Boston, April 10, 2011-- Speaking American hosted its 13th year of the annual spring contests for Public Speaking offered statewide to youngsters (Grades 3-8). 1-Minute Talks Winners Talk: Who I want to come to speak at my school as a Guest Speaker-- Grade 3 Winner: OLIVIA BROWN Guest Speaker Choice: David Ortiz; Grade 4 Winner: COLLIN WRIGHT Guest Speaker Choice: Santa Claus; Talk: Who I admire-- Grade 5 Winner: MICHELLE LOVEN Person Admired: Helen Keller. Bilingual Talks: English and Chinese Talk: The Little Brook, the Lake and Big Ocean Grade 7 Winner: KEVIN HALEY; Talk: Customs Grade 8 Winner: ROWEN PRICE. Each received cash prizes and a Certificate of Participation. We want to thank Trader Joe's for donating our prizes for Parents and Teachers chosen by random selection. This is another highlight of our spring event.

Ways to Use Public Speaking

2011-01-18T06:25:00.000-08:00

Did any of you catch the News how the kids of
Washington, DC's Watkins Elementary School
(Grade 4) honored Martin Luther King at
the historic Lincoln Memorial? Remember his
I have a dream speech? Well, each student
who participated recited one phrase from it.
Here's a lasting experience not only for the
kids, but for those following the tribute.
Long live the dream and the rights of free speech
and assembly . . . in the USA and throughout the world.

Using Your Own Words in 2011

2011-01-11T08:20:00.000-08:00

Our Public Speaking Contests are offered to
students (Grades 3-5; 6; 7-8) in Massachusetts.
Deadline for Application Forms
February 4th, 2011
For Grades 3-5, there is a required theme:
"Who do you want to invite as a Guest Speaker
to your school?" This is a 1-Minute Talk.
Check out the details on our Pages list now.
Don't let your Kids miss out. Any questions?
E-mail: www.heidiusaesl@yahoo.com
Many of you already know the value of Public Speaking.
Please help our Kids get to this point by encouraging them
to use their own words by trying some Public Speaking.
Looking forward to your Contest Application. Thanks.

Contests for 2011-- Postings Started

2010-09-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

The Calendar and Contest Deadlines for the Public
Speaking 2011 contests sponsored by Speaking American
are now posted on the Home section of this blog.

Planning ahead helps in this fast-paced world we live in.
We will continue posting details and Application Forms
to enter the different Public Speaking contests for
Grades 3-5, Grade 6 for Web and Blog Talks and the
Bilingual Talks for Grades 7-8 in Massachusetts.
We welcome participation by public, private and
charter schools as well as registered providers of
home schooling.

There are no expensive entry fees required. Yes,
Speaking American is organized to administer contests
in Massachusetts and for the benefit of Elementary and
Middle School students studying in Massachusetts. We
also accept Applications from Massachusetts registered
non-profits that may want to sponsor Public Speaking
candidates in the above mentioned grade categories.

Ask your Teachers about the advantages of Public
Speaking skills. Interview your parents and relatives.
Share your stories about Public Speaking experiences.
Our Post a Comment is just a click away.

Coming Up-- Back to School

2010-08-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

Teachers of Grade 6 students statewide have a chance
to give their students a forum to do some Public Speaking
on WEB/BLOG SITES. This is a new forum offered by
Speaking American for the 2011 contest for Grade 6.

Kids have 2-minutes on stage to give a review of 2-online
sites. No notes or index cards are allow during the presentation.
One site will be selected by Speaking American. Students are
free to choose the other. Allow 1-minute talking time for
each site. English is the language to be used.

This can be fun as we explore the vast variety the Internet
has to offer. Check your Favorites. We will be announcing
the other required site by mid-September.

Back to School can be full of good stuff as the saying goes.
Why not try some Public Speaking. Yes, there are Prizes!
Look for more posts on this contest and our other Public
Speaking contests for Grades 3-5 (1-Minute Talks) and
Bilingual Talks for Grades 7 and 8. Just imagine yourself on
stage. Just do it. Why not talk it over with your Teacher
soon?!

Why Speaking American?

2010-06-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

People often ask me why the name "Speaking American" for our Public Speaking contests. Why not simply use English. I explain that I want to bring recognition to the enrichment of the English language-- both in terms of vocabulary and usage -- which the American experience has provided. From the cowboys' "howdy" to WWII's "A OK" to the Moon Walk and now to the explosion of the Internet jargon are a few examples. In addition, when people from all over the world want to learn to speak English as a second or third language, many choose to learn "American."

In our 1-Minute Talks contests only English is used. Our Bilingual Talks require English and a foreign language. In 2011 we will be offering English and Spanish and our annual bilingual contest of English and Chinese. Please check Blog Archive to see some of our Finalists for this year's contests held at the historic Boston Public Library, Boston, MA. Our photo coverage was done by photojournalist Kristyn Ulanday (BU '10) and I thank her so much for helping us tell our Public Speaking story and inviting other youngsters throughout Massachusetts to try it -- just ask your teacher. Yes, we do award prizes!

Bilingual Talks (Grades 7-8)-- English and CHINESE 2010

2010-06-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

Bilingual Talks (Grades 7-8) -- English and LATIN 2010

2010-06-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

1-Minute Talks (Grade 5) Finals 2010

2010-06-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

1-Minute Talks (Grade 3) Finalist 2010

2010-06-05T14:21:00.000-07:00