编者按：本届大赛评委之一，中国社科院外籍专家Sue Kay教授多次参与大赛，对演讲大赛和英语演讲教学颇有心得。她细致观察了大赛的各项情况，向大赛组委会提出了全面、详细的反馈意见。现选摘部分发表，希望对参赛选手与指导教师有所裨益。

1. The prepared speeches were on the whole were very well taken.  It was more interesting to have topics varied rather than everyone speaking on the same topic.  I was surprised there was not more overlap and wonder if students sometimes were not speaking on their preferred topic?

2. Speakers should be encouraged to look at the issues underpinning topics rather than using the platform to tell the audience how to live their lives!  One way to do this is to ask why, what, when, who, how of the topic.  Also, saying, “the correct way”, “the right thing”, “the proper answer” indicates a lack of awareness of the complexity of modern life. The word “should” should (sic) be banned!  If a speaker must use it they ‘should’ use ‘we should’ not ‘you should’!

3. Speakers who did not do as well as they hoped, usually didn’t because they rambled, waffled, gave a list of disconnected comments with no logical focus or did not give sufficiently concrete examples of their main points.  Sometimes there was lots of knowledge but little logic in a speech.  There is also a common tendency to provide slogans or speak in clichés. Speaking in clichés is not considered persuasive or sincere in English!

4. Impromptu speeches – Speakers should try to come down on one side or the other and they should tell the audience which side at the beginning of their speech.  Too much time was wasted on long winded introductions that were not relevant.  Try to get to the point of the topic – practice by trying to identify the issues behind topics – try to think more deeply about the issues. This means looking outside of your own experiences and using the information you learn in books, the media and from your elders but be sure to understand it and not to personalise everything. It is ok to talk about problems or issues that you have not experienced so long as you do so with humility, understanding and intelligence. Also, be brave and disagree with the wording of the topic if you do but give clear reasons. 

It was great to see notes being used – discretely and usefully – well done!

It was staggering to see almost no problems with delivery.  Contestants were confident and generally relaxed at the lectern.  A few were a little stiff and forgot that they could move and also use their hands.  I hope they were all given the chance to practice in front of the mic before the competition began?

It was amazing to hear so few language problems.  Pronunciation was generally excellent and only a few speakers ‘lost’ words or mispronounced them, usually because they were speaking too quickly – best to slow down rather than ‘lose’ words.  The message is often more clearly given when it is given in a measured way – ie slowly.

It was awe inspiring that most speakers demonstrated versatile, flexible and ingenious ways in tackling their topics. A most interesting aspect of any speech is the unique way in which the speaker chooses to tackle the topic.  We had some fascinating insights – thank you!

It was breathtaking to be aware of structure, especially in the impromptu speeches.  I wished there had been more structure in some of the prepared speeches – it would prevent rambling!

The maturity of thinking was superb in some of the speeches and the general standard of delivery and language was brilliant. 

Thank you all speakers for a wonderful week!