The English-Speaking Union

We wish a very happy birthday to our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

We are immensely grateful for Her Royal Highness’s longstanding support of the English-Speaking Union and our work to empower young people through communication, public speaking and international exchange.

We send our best wishes to Her Royal Highness and look forward to continuing our work in the year ahead.

We’re recruiting Oracy Leaders! 🗣️

Support young people to find their voice through debating, public speaking and performance

The English-Speaking Union is looking for confident, responsible and reliable individuals to lead our national competitions, including the Schools’ Mace Debating Competition, Public Speaking Competition and Performing Shakespeare Competition.

Find out more and apply: esu.org/work-with-us/

Good luck to all students receiving their A-level results today! 🎊

Whatever today brings, remember to be proud of how far you’ve come. We’re cheering you on! 💙

Happy International Youth Day! 🌍

Today, we’re celebrating all the wonderful young people who step outside their comfort zones and find their voice through the ESU.

Your courage to speak out gives us so much faith in the next generation, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for each and every one of you. 🌟

Do you have what it takes to deliver a speech at the grand final of the ESU’s Public Speaking Competition? 🎤

A powerful speech is about much more than the words you write. It is about how you connect with an audience: where you place emphasis, when you pause, how you use humour, and how you bring your ideas to life.

Two finalists from the ESU Public Speaking Competition 2026 have shared their speeches with us:

🎙️ Aayushi Talwar, King Edward VI High School for Girls
🎙️ Charlie Hagelthorn, South Wilts Grammar School and winner of Best Speaker

Both speeches are excellent examples of clear structure, compelling ideas and effective delivery.

Read the speeches, consider how you would perform them, and then watch Aayushi and Charlie in action to see how they approached the challenge.

It is a simple exercise — but it might reveal just how much thought, creativity and skill goes into great public speaking.

🔗 Read the speeches and watch the performances here: https://www.esu.org/news-and-views/speeches-how-do-you-deliver-yours/

🌍🎤 What a fantastic day of public speaking and cultural exchange at Dartmouth House!

Yesterday, in partnership with ASEEDER, we were delighted to welcome students from across the UK and China for a special international public speaking competition, bringing young people together to share their ideas, build their confidence and connect with peers from another country.

After a day of impressive speeches and some very tough competition, congratulations to our winners:

🏆 Primary Intermediate: Jaden Cui
🏆 Primary Advanced: Laitan Tang
🏆 Secondary: Isabella O’Connor

A huge well done to all of the students who took part, it was wonderful to see so many young people rising to the challenge and supporting one another throughout the day.

And that's a wrap! 💙🌍

We've loved looking back on an unforgettable week at IPSC 2026, but don't just take our word for it...

Swipe through to hear what our competitors had to say about their experience. A huge thank you to every participant, teacher, judge, volunteer and supporter who made this year's competition so special.

We can't wait to see where your public speaking journey takes you next. Be sure to stay connected by signing up to our alumni mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/esu/alumni

Until next time! 👋✨

It wouldn't be the ESU if it didn't end in spectacular fashion!🎤✨

On Friday, 17 July, our six finalists took to the stage at the Royal Institution for the IPSC 2026 grand final.

Each finalist delivered a speech that showcased not only their confidence and communication skills, but also the diversity of ideas and perspectives that makes an international competition so special.

Congratulations once again to our IPSC 2026 winner, Omar Hazari, and to every competitor who visited us here in London!🌍💙

And then there were six… 🎤✨

Watch the moment our competitors found out they had secured their place in the IPSC 2026 grand final 🎥 https://youtu.be/mVtu62XnXWo

By Thursday, the competition was heating up… 🎤✨

As our IPSC 2026 competitors took to the stage for the semi-finals, delivering powerful speeches across three iconic rooms at Dartmouth House: the Churchill Room, Small Drawing Room and the Long Drawing Room. And with a place in the Grand Final at stake, the standard was sensational!

Take a look back at some of the highlights from an unforgettable day 💙