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The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

English Public Speaking Contest 2024

Rules and Regulations - District Preliminary Rounds

1. Contest Format

a. Definition of District

Each Contestant will be allocated to one of the five districts, i.e., New Territories East, New
Territories West, Kowloon East, Kowloon West & Hong Kong Island (including outlying
islands), based on their respective school location.

b. Type of Speech

Contestants are required to deliver a 3-minute prepared speech on a self-selected topic.

Contestants should try to fully utilise the allotted time but must not go over it, since overrunning
is a breach of this rule and may incur a mark penalty.

c. Contest Video Requirement

i. Contest video submission period will start from 30 January 2024 (Tuesday) to 13
February 2024 (Tuesday). The guide to video submission will be published on the
Contest website in due course. Reminder emails will also be sent to all Contestants and
teachers in charge at least a week in advance of the start of the submission period;

ii. Late submissions will NOT be accepted. Contestants should avoid last-minute
submission in order not to miss the deadline due to possible congestion of network traffic;

iii. Multiple submissions will NOT be accepted. Each Contestant should only submit one
Contest video. In the event of multiple submissions, only the first submission will be
adjudicated;

iv. The Contest video must be a single shot video footage. The Contest video must be a
single shot video footage. Post-production, such as video editing, voice-over,
overlapping soundtracks, applying filters or transition effects, inserting text, subtitles, or
images, adjusting colours or lighting, etc., are strictly forbidden. Contestants in breach
of this rule will be disqualified;

v. Contestants must name their file following the format: Contestant ID_Contest
District_Full Name. Please also take note to the following reminders:

 Please include your Contestant ID in the file name. The Contestant ID will be sent
to your email together with the submission form;

 Please type your surname all in capital letters;

Secretariat: The HKFYG Leadership Institute

302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong
Email: SC@leadershipinstitute.hk Tel: (852) 2169 0255 Website: https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024

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 Please include your district abbreviation in the file name;

Districts and Abbreviations:

Hong Kong Island – HK Island
Kowloon East – KLN East
Kowloon West – KLN West
New Territories East – NT East
New Territories West – NT West

 Sample: S0000_KLN West_CHAN Ka Man Chris;

vi. Contest video must be in MOV or MP4 format;

vii. Contest video must be viewable with a minimum resolution of 720p (1280×720);

viii. It is strongly advised that Contestants should film the Contest video in either 16:9 or 4:3
aspect ratio, i.e., landscape;

ix. It is strongly suggested that the Contestant should set up the filming device to capture
and frame a “front” angle of the Contestant from about waist up;

x. The Contest video should clearly show the full appearance and actions of the Contestants;

xi. Wearing of a surgical mask during speech delivery will largely affect judging.
Contestants are therefore strongly advised to film their speeches with their masks off in
a safe, quiet, and undisturbed place, preferably indoors.

xii. Contestants should make sure that their voices in the recording is clearly audible, and the
audio should synchronise with the video. Adding a voice-over audio track is NOT
permissible.

Contestants will retain their district allocations from the District Preliminary Rounds.
Contestants will be further divided into different sessions based on their districts.

d. Originality of Speech

Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. Every speech must be original and Contestants must not share
their speeches with other Contestants. Contestants will be required to declare that their speeches
are original by the time of the Contest video submission. Those in breach of this rule will be
disqualified.

Secretariat: The HKFYG Leadership Institute

302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong
Email: SC@leadershipinstitute.hk Tel: (852) 2169 0255 Website: https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024

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e. Mention of School

Contestants are NOT allowed to disclose their schools by any means, both implicitly and
explicitly, to the adjudicators at all times. For example, showing a school flag or mascot in
the background would be considered a breach of this rule. Contestants will thence receive a mark
penalty.
f. Attire

Contestants are NOT allowed to wear school uniforms or any attire that may indicate their
schools in the video. Contestants in breach of this rule will receive a mark penalty.
Contestants should exercise their own discretion as to what is the appropriate attire for the
Contest; yet business casual attire is advised.

Contestants should exercise their own discretion as to what is the appropriate attire. They are
however advised to attend the rounds in business casual attire.
g. Use of Props and Cue Cards

Contestants are not allowed to use any props during the delivery of the speech. Contestants in
breach of this rule will be disqualified.

Contestants can use cue cards at their own discretion.

2. Contest Details
a. Judging Panel

A judging panel usually consists of 2 to 3 adjudicators. All adjudicators will be required to sign
a Statement of Confidentiality and to declare any conflicts of interest.

b. Judging Criteria
Contestants’ performance will be assessed based on the following criteria:
 Substance of Speech (50%)
 Style and Technique (30%)
 General Effectiveness (20%)
c. Progression of Contest

The 1st to 8th place of each session will go into the District Semi-finals. The adjudicators’
decision for the results of the District Preliminary Rounds should be final. Certificates will be
awarded according to their results in the District Semi-finals.

Contestants in the 9th and 10th places of each session will be awarded “Certificates of Good
Performance”. The rest of the Contestants will be awarded “Certificates of Participation”.

Secretariat: The HKFYG Leadership Institute

302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong
Email: SC@leadershipinstitute.hk Tel: (852) 2169 0255 Website: https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024

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3. Announcement of Results

Contestants should visit the Contest website (https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024) and check their
emails regularly for schedules and updates.

Results of the District Preliminary Rounds are tentatively to be announced on the Contest
website by 26 February 2024 (Monday), 23:59.

Contestants who successfully pass the District Preliminary Rounds as the top EIGHT (8) of the
session will be notified by email of their results and hence their eligibility to proceed to the
District Semi-finals. Comments by adjudicators will be sent to District Semi-finalists in the week
following the announcement of results of the District Preliminary Rounds.

Other Contestants shall receive the comments by email in the following weeks.

4. Disclaimer

The adjudicators’ decisions for the results of all Contest rounds are final.

The Secretariat of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups English Public Speaking Contest
(“the Secretariat”) reserves the rights for any changes without notice. In event of other disputes,
decisions by the Secretariat shall be final and conclusive.

The Secretariat may, at its absolute discretion and at any time, amend or modify the Rules and
Regulations without prior notice. Contestants should check our website from time to time for the
latest announcements and information.

5. Enquiries

a. Secretariat The HKFYG Leadership Institute

b. Address 302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong

SC@leadershipinstitute.hk
c. Email (Please add SC@leadershipinstitute.hk to your Safe Senders List so
as not to miss any emails or updates from the Secretariat.)

(852) 2169 0255

NOTE: due to special work arrangement, there may be delay in
d. Contact Number response to phone enquiries. For enquiries, please contact the
Secretariat by email and send a brief description of the issue, with
contact details included.
e. Contest Website https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024
f. Office Hours Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm

Last revision date: 24 November 2024

Secretariat: The HKFYG Leadership Institute

302 Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong
Email: SC@leadershipinstitute.hk Tel: (852) 2169 0255 Website: https://leadershipinstitute.hk/EPS2024

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