Choral Speaking

CHORAL SPEAKING COMPETITION

FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

RULES AND GUIDELINES

1.0       Introduction

Choral Speaking is a competition organized by the Ministry of Education. The competition aims at encouraging and increasing the use of English among pupils or students. It builds confidence in pupils or students to memorize, speak, render and express themselves in English.

2.0       Competition Rules

2.1       Eligibility

           

2.1.1   This competition is divided into 2 categories:

·         primary school

·         secondary school

   

2.1.2   This competition is open to pupils of government-aided schools from Year 4 to Year 6 only. Year 3 pupils are allowed to participate if they are from under enrolled schools.

2.1.3   This competition is open to all students of government-aided schools from Form 1 to Form 5 only.

2.1.4   Each Choral Speaking team comprises members from the same         school.

           

2.2       Time         

2.2.1   For the primary school category, each team is given a presentation time limit of 5 to 8 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

2.2.2   For the secondary school category, each team is given a presentation time limit of 8 to 10 minutes. Marks will be deducted thereafter.

2.3       Team        

2.3.1   Each team should comprise 30 to 35 pupils or students. A conductor should be appointed amongst these pupils or students.

2.3.2   Each team should be accompanied by 4 teachers-in-charge.

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2.4       Text

           

2.4.1   Selection of texts may be in the form of poetry or short prose. Texts should preferably be original and authentic.

2.4.2   Adapted texts including those from previous years should be acknowledged by citing the source.

2.4.3   Participants are not allowed to refer to any notes or printed materials during the presentation.

2.4.4   Materials presented must not touch on sensitive issues, such as race, religion, stereotyping, politics etc.

2.4.5   Copies of choral speaking texts must be submitted to the organisers two weeks prior to the competition.

2.5       Attire

       

2.5.1   All participants should be in school uniform when competing.

2.5.2   The conductor may use gloves.

2.6       Exclusions

2.6.1   There should be no inclusion of music, drama, costume, props or artificial sound effects.

2.6.2   Any inclusion of singing, skit or physical movement should enhance and not dominate the presentation.

2.7       Stage Arrangement

2.7.1   The arrangement of the teams on the stage will be in fixed 3-tiered rows.

2.8       Judges       

2.8.1   National level competitions should be judged by 5 or 7 judges.

2.8.2   The Best Conductor should be judged by a separate panel of 3 judges.

2.8.3   The judges will be appointed by the Division of Co-curriculum and Arts, Ministry of Education.

2.9       Decisions

   

2.9.1   Points will be awarded according to the scoresheet.

2.9.2   Judges will collectively determine the placing by a clear majority vote.

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2.9.3   The decision of the judges is final.

2.9.4   Individual team marks will not be disclosed.

2.10    Prizes       

2.10.1 Plaques and certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams. 

2.10.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to all participating teams.

Note:  

·                     The winning teams from the previous year may participate in the current year but the text and presentation must not be an exact replica.

·                     This concept paper is valid until further notification or revision from the Ministry of Education and can be used at all levels for competitions organized by the Ministry.

Definition

“Choral Speaking is the interpretation of poetry or prose by a group, comprising anything from half a dozen to a hundred speakers. It involves a full and varied use of the individual voices that make up the group. There may be divisions of the whole group into light and dark voices, broken and unbroken, male and female, treble and so on. Individual voices may be used as solo.”

Division of Co-curriculum and Arts

Ministry of Education, Malaysia