Rules

The Telenet - BBC Public Speaking Awards (TN - BBC Awards 2012) are organised by Telenet N.V. in partnership with the BBC, the British Embassy, the British Council and under the auspices of the English Speaking Union.  The TN - BBC Awards are aimed at young people who strive to achieve excellence in English and make active use of the English language. This competition gives students the opportunity to express their opinions to a young audience, who like themselves, are facing questions about their own lives and their hopes for the future. Within the themes for the Awards 2012, participants may select one of the topics listed below in Point 2. Participants may interpret the theme in any way they wish, but may not use the theme as the title of their speech. The chosen topic and title cannot be changed during the competition.

RULES Telenet - BBC PUBLIC SPEAKING Awards 2012
The Telenet - BBC Public Speaking Awards is based on the same rules as those of the highly successful English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition. The aim is to give young people practical experience in the art of public speaking. It also gives them the opportunity to express their views on topics of national and international interest. 

1. Eligibility
The Telenet - BBC Public Speaking Awards competition is open to 16 to 20 year old students attending Secondary schools, High schools and Universities of professional full-time education in Belgium (i.e. the youngest possible competitor would have his/her 16th birthday no later than on the day of the prize-giving event of the International Final in London on May 18th, 2012 and the oldest possible competitor would turn 21 the day after the competition of the International Final in London ends).
Each school may nominate a maximum of six students to participate in the preliminary rounds. Selection is the responsibility of the schools.

2. Topics
Competitors are required to speak on a chosen topic for five minutes, followed by a four minutes period (answer at least 2 questions from the judges and 2 questions from the audience), so questions need to be answered briefly and to the point.

The topics for the Telenet - BBC Public Speaking Awards 2012 are:

• How does peer pressure affect young people?
• Is social networking anti-social?
• Is binge drinking amongst teenagers getting out of control?
• Is news created by the media?
• Do computer games cause bad behaviour in children?
• Are the Olympics about medals or money?
• Connecting for a sustainable future. Networking for Sustainability.
• The Wisdom of Youth. (ESU National Topic)

Speakers may interpret the theme in any way they wish, but may not use the theme (topic) as the title of their speech.

The organisers reserve the right to reject unsuitable titles or topics. It is appreciated that speakers have limited time to make their case and competitors’ persuasiveness and ingenuity in dealing with the subject is of considerable importance. Although the judges may penalise the treatment of any subject they consider offensive, unnecessary flippant or outside the aims of the competition, speakers should not be afraid to be provocative, hard-hitting or humorous as long as their intention is clearly constructive. It is advisable to ensure that the speech – and this applies especially to a more light-hearted topic – has pith and substance. Speakers must avoid speeches that are likely to be perceived as doctrinal or political.

3. Timing
The Chair of the session will introduce the speaker. Each speaker is allocated 5 minutes with a margin of 30 seconds either way.  Marks will be deducted for speeches which vary from this limit. After 4.30 minutes a red flag signals that the speech must be finished within 1 minute. After 5 minutes a first audible signal indicates that 30 seconds remains to end the speech. After 5.30 minutes a second audible signal indicates the end of the speaking time (at which point the participant must conclude their speech immediately). The speech will be followed by a question period of 4 minutes. The speaker will deal with the questions without an intermediary. One of the Judges or member of the Question Team will ask the first question, followed by questions from the Audience. Question period of 4 minutes must be completed. Audience members who are connected with a participant (e.g. a family member, teacher or an accompanying guest) may not ask questions to that participant. After 4 minutes a red flag signals the end of the question round.

The timing is therefore as follows:

• Introduction of speaker      0.30 minutes (this is not included in the timing)
• Speech                            4.30 - 5.30 minutes
• Questions and answers     4 minutes
• Total                               8.30 – 9.30 minutes

4. General
The order in which the speakers compete will be determined by drawing by the organizer. The speaker’s presentation should be purely oral without use of any other devices. The discreet use of notes, however, is permitted.

5. Judging
There will be at least three Judges per round, who will allocate points on the following basis:

• Content: content, subject, reasoning and evidence   maximum 45
• Expression and delivery                                       maximum 40
• Handling questions & establishing credibility             maximum 15
• Total number of points                                    maximum 100

The judges’ decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

6. Prizes
The winner of the National Final will be awarded a trip to London, where he/she will compete in the English-Speaking Union (ESU) International Speaking Competition Final 2012, as  the representative of Belgium.  Please note that the topic for the ESU International Final 2012 in London is different to that of the Belgian Competition: “The Head or the Heart?”
Should a finalist be unable to attend the National Final and prize-giving event on April 21st, 2012, they will automatically forego any right to the prizes. The winning school will be awarded the TN - BBC Challenge Trophy!!

7. Dates
TN - BBC Speaking Awards 2012: Preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals will be held on different locations. Venues will be published as soon as possible.

The preliminary rounds* will take place on Saturday February 18th (cancelled - start of school holidays), March 3rd, and March 10th, 2012. Sessions will start at 9:00 (morning sessions) and at 13:30 (afternoon sessions).

* These dates are subject to the number of registrations to the event.

The quarter finals will take place on Saturday March 17th, 2012.
Competition will start at 9:00.
The semi-final will take place on Saturday March 24th, 2012.
Competition will start at 9:00
The National Final will take place on Saturday April 21st, 2012.
Competition will start at 13:30
The International Final of the English Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition (ISPC) is in London on May 18th, 2012.
Participant must be present in London from Monday, May 14th until Saturday, May 19th, 2012 included.

8. Registration
Participating schools can register up to six applicants by completing the form online at www.bbcawards.be or at www.bbcawards.be/register and use your personal code.
Register your school before December 23rd, 2011.
Register each individual candidate and complete each pupil’s entry (topic, title of the speech) NO LATER THAN January 20th, 2012.

A registration fee of € 15,00 per participating student is required. After registration the school will receive an invoice. This invoice has to be paid within 8 days with reference:
Telenet NV - Liersesteenweg 4 - 2800 Mechelen
Iban: BE88 4050 5047 0141
Swift: KREDBEBB
Account number 405-0504701-41
Reference: invoice number
Payments on the day of the competition, will not be accepted and students will not be allowed to participate if invoice has not been paid.
In case the school or a participant forego after the online registration, there will be no refunds.

Additional information
Teachers and students can find additional information at our website: www.bbcawards.be