Since 1983, the ESU International Public Speaking Competition has reached more than one million young people in more than 50 countries through all its qualifying levels. Each May, it brings together outstandingly articulate young people from all over the world for a week of public speaking competition and international cultural exchange with the ESU of the Commonwealth in London. The finalist contestants meet and learn with their peers of different backgrounds and cultures. 

2025 ESU IPSC Timeline

February 24, 2025  Video Submissions for US National Competition Due

Week of March 10, 2025 ESU US National Winner Awarded

March 17, 2025 ESU US  National Winner Registration Form Due in London

April 15, 2025 IPSC 2025 Participant Q&A via Zoom with London

The ESU US National Competition Winner receives: an all-expense paid trip to London to represent the United States in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition May 12 – 17, 2025 in London!

2025 ESU IPSC Themes & Registration 

• The ESU National/Regional Theme Is:   “Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking”–Mahatma Gandhi
• The Theme for the prepared speech heat of the Grand Final of the ESU International Competition Is:   We know what we are, but not what we may be”–William Shakespeare                  
• Please Note: the winner of each country advancing to the IPSC Final in London will be asked to present for the Semi-Final Prepared Speech Heats their prepared speech on:  Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking” (Mahatma Gandhi)

Video speech submissions for the ESU US National/Regional Competition are due:    Monday, February 24, 2025

   As you prepare your video entry, please review the Guidance for IPSC Speakers 2024 packet as reference. Then, Record a 5 minute video speech and on this year’s IPSC National/Regional Competition Theme:

                 “Unity, to be real, must stand the severest strain without breaking” (Mahatma Gandhi)

“Please upload your video to YouTube and enter the complete video address in the submission link below. PLEASE MAKE YOUR VIDEO UNLISTED. 

Any questions, please contact Alice Uhl at auhl@esuus.org

Congratulations to Carina Bruno, who represented the ESU US at the 2024 ESU International Public Speaking Competition! 

Carina, a Communications Major from Lancaster Pennsylvania with a passion for public speaking, joined participants aged 16-20 from 30 countries for a week of cultural exchange and public speaking competition.

“This week in London for the ESU International Public Speaking Competition has been absolutely enriching, I have loved every second of it! The other ESU IPSC delegates are wonderful and are teaching me so much. I have enjoyed all of the sightseeing and training with the coaches. I feel so grateful to the ESU to be here!”

Congratulations to Md Zaman, who represented the ESU US at the 2023 ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London in May. He participated with students from 30 countries during a week of cultural exchange and public speaking workshops and competitions.

Newsletter from MD’s high school

Wrangler News – June 13, 2018

For many high school students, the end of the spring semester and the advent of the warmer summer months are a time to relax from the rigors of academia, maybe by sleeping in or just sitting beside the pool.

Let’s just say that Ali Cohen has an entirely different agenda on tap. Read full story.

East Valley Tribune – May 27, 2018

Ali Cohen of Chandler spoke in London last week as the American delegate at the Grand Final of the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition.

The Chandler Preparatory Academy junior used her platform to urge those who have power and influence in the world to speak out for uneducated girls in their fight for education, opportunity and equality. Read full story.

Inquirer.net – May 23, 2018

In chilly London last week, Johanne Jazmin Tan Jabines was given five minutes onstage. It was all the time the 20-year-old needed to share her meeting with a dearly missed relative and wow the competition’s judges and her global audience. Read full story.

MENAFN – May 21, 2018

Chandler Prep Academy junior is a Grand Finalist at the International Public Speaking Competition — English in Action. Read full story.