My friend and I, volunteered to be judges for the SEA Forensics Tournament 2007, organized by The International School of Kuala Lumpur, February 14-16.I volunteered as adjudicator for debates and my friend Zuhairah Ali, Solo and duet acting.
Let me first enlighten you as to what this tournament is all about.
The events involved in this tournament are:Debate Two teams: an affirmative team proposes a resolution proposing a statement of value. The negative team attacks the proposition. This years resolution is:
Resolved: A just Government should provide healthcare to its citizens.Original Oratory: The contestant prepares and delivers a persuasive speech. The oration can point out a problem and provide a solution or may just simply alert the audience about a potential danger.
Extemporaneous Speaking: The contestants will be given ongoing current events topics in the form of a question. The contestant will be given 30 minutes to prepare after he has been given the question.Duet Acting: is an event in which two students present an excerpt from a play. The play must be a published dramatic work. NO props or costumes may be used except chairs and a table.
Solo Acting: is an event where the contestant acts a small part of a play or a small original piece. NO props or costumes may be used except chairs and a table.Impromptu Speaking: The contestant will be given a topic of light philosophical nature to talk about. The contestants will have one minute to plan his speech.
Aims:Instills one's confidence in front of a crowd
Makes one better at thinking on one's feet
Helps one discover an outlet for one's creativity
Sharpen's one's analytical skill and helps one practice one's critical thinking
To make everyone stronger and better
Well there you go.
I certainly had a great time listening to students debating in a somewhat different format than I was used to. 19 schools in all, participated and some as far away as Hong Kong.
Overall I could see how easy all of the above aims would be achieved at the end of the day. Students from all the different schools had the opportunity to meet and mingle and extend friendship and learn from one another.I mingled too and made some new friends.
I certainly would like such a tournament to be conducted in local schools too. I would probably start with my alma mater.Yes, certainly...'We need to talk'.
Click on pix for larger view
Pix 1: Wayne Paul Simon (VI), Isaac Tan (KTJ), me, Alison Lo (KTJ), Avinash Nair Atcho (VI)
Pix 2: Judges and coaches in hospitality room
Pix 3: Me, Mark Webber (tournament director), Zuhairah Ali
Pix 4: Me, Cecilia Guzik
Pix 5-9: Goings-on at Forensics (pix courtesy Zuhairah Ali)
Illustration 1: Participating schools
Illustration 2: Part of the list of judges who volunteered
I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone
'Happy Chinese New Year'
Please drive considerately
'Happy Chinese New Year'
Please drive considerately
21 comments:
Sounds good because it really makes the youngsters think. I believe that confidence can be built through such activities. Kudos!
true.. just out of curiosity.. the participating schools.. were they chosen or was it open to all?
ok, all the best :-) may everything goes smoothly.
Hi d,
Certainly this is such a good event. A lot of preparation went into it I was told. It went so well as the people organised it were very dedicated and experienced. Another thing it was made simple and easy, no pomp and pageant..just serious content of it all. Thank you for the vote.
dear ruby...
ah, i just love "impromptu" speaking.
when i was starting my career *many many years ago*, i joined the toastmasters club - and i always won prizes for best impromptu speaker! heheheh. my speech then was littered with fun and puns. now, after living for while longer - i think, if i were to do impromtu speeches agaian - it may be biased towards love and romance. hehehe
enjoy! As i would hv enjoyed If i were there ...
idham
Hi Simah,
Participating schools were invited. But any school wishing to participate can write to be invited. They will only be too happy. The whole competition seemed easy but requires a high level of english, and our standard of english certainly needed a boost right now in general. Sigh.
Hi Azer,
The way it has been organised to be simple yet effective is encouraging, it can only be a success and yes would run smoothly.
SEA Forensics is an event that has been around, but this is my first time participating. I wish to know more, as my first experience I found out things done simply without pomp and pageant gets better results as the concentration is on content and well being of students and we are not distracted to take care of VIPs and what have you. Get my drift?
Hi Id,
Oh you were with toastmaster's. Wonderful. Biased towards love and romance now..just like you, the ever 'smonel' (jiwang ke? (sentimental)) Id. That would be nice and interesting. Bila you balik nanti jom join (when you are back let's join) toastmaster's. Lil pun ok. Together we 'jiwang' em! He he.
That is great. You are brave, not many are willing to be judges for debates, 'cept english teachers and generous with your time and talent. You deserve a medal dear.
Hi Kak Anne,
Thanks for your kind words. I did it to learn the ropes too. I found out it was certainly tough to judge debates. We had to be attentive, we had to put on our critical thinking hats on, we had to listen to everyone's speeches carefully. Yes, tough.
What a great tournament.Good training for the kids.Great that you participated.
hey i was there too! Allison and Issac's are my schoolmates.
Hi Ikmal,
Yes, I agree, it was a great tournament for public speaking and critical thinking. I was glad that I participated.
HI Samantha,
Oh Allison and Issac are your schoolmates. They spoke and presented their points very well. Did you enjoy the 3 days? Betcha.
I was at Forensics as a judge, and I had the pleasure of being one of their younger (if not youngest ever) judges. I celebrated my 17th birthday on the second day, toasted by my school getting their first semifinalists since... me.
Hi Amirul,
Pity we did not meet at Forensics.
You were a judge at just 17?????? You're incredible!!!!! You must be a child prodigy or sumfing. Keep it up. Well done kiddo.
back in 1997, I was in a team rep. maktab tentera, impromptu drama or something,it was sure one hell of a time, we had fun! :)
ok I remembered, it was duet acting, haha! time flies!
Hi thewailer,
Oh! You represented RMC back in 1997 eh? That is fabulous. I can imagine the sheer fun you must have had with your team. I take my hat off to you for being that capable.
Now, my question is, how come this year RMC was not represented if you guys participated before? I am hoping to suggest to the principal, Puan Tg, for TKC to participate next year perhaps. Thanks for your comments here. Real swell of ya.
Hi Kak Ruby,
That sounded like so much fun. Wish I could have participated as a contestant but at 31 I'm probably too old.
We definitely should encourage TKC to participate - or even do it as an annual event at school level. I'd love to judge, or coach, or just get involved in any way.
BTW, anymore OGA-OPA/OBA debates coming up?
Hi Dian,
You would like to help in debates? Now that is wonderful. Would you please drop a line in the mail as I would like to rope you in for some help in forthcoming debate.
As for inter-alumni debate, yes RMCOPA did contact us for a forum/debate and we have agreed to have it. But somehow things seem to have sizzled out. Could it be that their nerves got the better of them perhaps? Ha ha..well boys explain yourselves than. What else could it be....tolong jangan marrrah guys, nanti keeenaaa juuuaaaal! Duh!
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