Creating Global Understanding through English
In this month’s newsletter from English Speaking Union of Denmark (ESU) there are two reports from the two young winners of the Danish Public Speaking Competition, Philip Chartell and Sofie Strunch, on their exciting week in London where they competed in the ESU international competition.
The main objectives of the English Speaking Union are to:
Provide a forum for international friendship and understanding through our support of the worldwide network of ESUs and the provision of secretariat facilities for the International Council at our headquarters at Dartmouth House, London
Facilitate and assist the establishment and recognition of ESUs worldwide
Focus on key current affairs issues through regular international conferences, seminars and meetings
Promote English in international public speaking and debate for the support of worldwide communication and dialogue
Encourage the enjoyment and constructive use of English through educational programmes
Initiate and administer international youth exchange and work experience schemes
Provide and create cultural activities
Ensure the coordination and coherence of our activities through the skill and dedication of our staff and voluntary helpers
Work in close and innovative partnership with our corporate members and sponsors
Read more about the English Speaking Union at http://www.esu.org/branches/international/branch.asp?b=471 and http://www.esu.org/branches/international/branch.asp?b=471
Report from Philip Chartell-Høyer
In May of 2009 I had the honor of representing Denmark at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London after advancing from the national finals in Copenhagen. I did not imagine when writing my first speech about hate speech that I would have the opportunity to speak in front an acclaimed audience at the ESU’s international headquarters.
The first day we had an informal gathering during which the basics of the program were explained to us. We were given name tags and programs which we eagerly looked through to see what we lay in store. At this event I was struck by the fact that the organizer, Annette Fisher, was a young woman just out of university. Everyone seemed very friendly, including the organizers, and we were all pleased that the atmosphere was relaxed and hospitable. Naturally all the participants were a little uptight and nervous among so many unfamiliar people, so many decided to go out that evening to get to know each other a little better and see a bit of London.
On the Tuesday we were introduced to the debate we would have the following day. We were put into groups who had to lobby for or against the construction of a second airport on a make believe island. During this process we had to form alliances with other groups and lobbies in order to stand stronger as a united front for or against the construction. The actual debate was performed in old-fashioned House of Commons style which involves putting one’s left hand on one’s head and extending one’s right arm to present a point of information. Everyone got very into the debate and despite some attacks from both sides the tone remained friendly – everyone from the Penguin Protection Agency to the Local Business Organization had a good laugh. In the end my side, the opposition, won the debate.
Tuesday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit the House of Commons to watch a live debate. The debate was quite heated because of discussions at the time of the extreme expenditure of certain ministers in England. It was interesting to see how they have maintained certain old customs of debating and traditions such as the use of wigs still persists to some extent for their nostalgic value. In the evening we went to watch the play Woman in Black. Before the play we had a talk with the director who explained the approach he had to the play and what he tried to achieve. I was amazed by how scared we were during the play – many of the scenes made me shriek. I think it was the simplicity of the plot and set, furthered by the fact that there are only 3 character, one of whom you aren’t certain whether is really there, was what made the play so effective. The play definitely made me look at plays differently, making me realize that plays don’t need to be pompous presentations of 300 year old plays.
Everything, however, came down to the Thursday when we presented our speeches. Both the other Danish competitor Sofie and I were assigned to the native English speaker heat because of our high level of English. This obviously posed more of a challenge but I felt that the level in our heat was one of the highest which meant that all the speakers held extremely interesting speeches. I spoke about how the English language is asserting its dominance as a world language which some are afraid will cause other languages to become obsolete. Unfortunately I did not make it to the finals but I received compliments from many of the ESU patrons including a Social Anthropologist which I am considering as a career path.
Overall I had an amazing trip and I would like to express my greatest gratitude to HE Alexandra Christina personally and the Joachim and Alexandra Fund for their sponsorship.
Report from Sofie Strunch
After having won the English Speaking Union’s Public speaking competition with my speech entitled “The facebook generation”, I went on to represent Denmark with the other winner Phillip, at the ESU public speaking world finals in London, where I changed my title to “let’s get physical, as well as some of the focus points of my speech.
Before going to London, I was honestly a bit nervous about meeting so many people from all over the world who shared the same goal as me: Winning the ESU finals. Luckily, everyone shared my nervousness and excitement, and this experience fully lived up to my expectations, and was by far, one of the most thrilling experiences that I have ever had.
The trip was not centred around the actual speaking competition alone, but on encouraging us to forge international relationships, and over the next days we had a very busy schedule in front of us.
Monday: All of the competitors were lodged at the President Hotel in central London. Due to an exam, I arrived too late to make it to the introductory meeting, but thanks to Phillip, I got all of the information I needed. We had to share a room with one or two of the other competitors, and as I got my room key, and headed for my floor, I had no idea what to expect. I quickly found out that I only had one roommate, and she was Hungarian. Luckily she and I really bonded and had a great time together.
Tuesday: We had introductory meeting, workshops, and lunch at Dartmouth House (ESU world headquarters), which was situated only a few stops from our hotel, by the London underground.
The following afternoon we had a tour of the House of Commons, where we were lucky enough to witness a debate. The evening concluded with a visit to the Fortune Theatre to meet with the director of the play “The Woman in Black”, and later on we got to see the actual play. This was like nothing I had ever seen, a play consisting of only two actors. Even though I had my doubts at first, it turned out to be one of the best plays I have ever seen – and a very frightening one indeed.
Wednesday, we had a very cultural day as well. All of the participants met in Trafalgar Square, where we were divided into three large groups. In these groups we had to see the National Gallery, and do a quiz. The following afternoon, we went to the Dartmouth House, to prepare for our public speaking workshop, based on the preparation from the day before. In this workshop we were all divided into political parties and had to put together a political program and afterwards discuss it. Even though there was lack of structure in the debate, this was a very fun event, because everyone really opened up, and was really into it.
Thursday: The days quickly flew by and the day we had all been waiting for had finally arrived: The Semi-final. At first when I arrived in London, I thought of nothing else but winning, but after the last couple of days, I considered a lot of the other participants, my friends, and was therefore just as exited for their performance, as well as for my own.
All of the participants were dressed in their best suits and dresses, and all ready for battle. The heats were held at the Dartmouth House, and only two from each heat was selected to go to the finals.
Sadly, neither Phillip ore I were placed in the top two of our heat. However, I know I did my best, and was not that disappointed, because for one, I was very impressed by the other speakers, and second, I never expected that I would ever get this far and therefore remembered, that we were all winners of our own country.
After the 8 finalists were selected, we were escorted by bus, to the grand final, which was held at the HSBC (the official sponsor of the ESU competition). This was an amazing building, and could not be more suitable for this event.
Over all, this experience has really given me something I can use not only now, but also later on in life. It has given me confidence and self-esteem, and most importantly friends from all over the world. Even though none of the Danes won, I am so glad I made the choice to attend this competition, and it is something that I will never forget.
The photos used are borrowed from the ESU website.