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 35 pupils or students. A conductor should

be appointed amongst these pupils or students.

2.3.2 Each team should be accompanied by 2 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.

2.9 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.

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 Certificates of achievement will be awarded to the winning teams.

2.10.2 Certificates of participation will be awarded to other 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