English-Speaking Union Competitions: Shakespeare, Debating and Public Speaking Guide

English-Speaking Union Competitions: Shakespeare, Debating and Public Speaking Guide

The English-Speaking Union (ESU) is one of the best-known organisations for student oracy: speaking, listening, debating, performance and confident communication.

For parents, ESU competitions are useful because they develop a different kind of academic strength from exams. Students learn to stand in front of an audience, organise ideas, respond under pressure and use language with purpose.

This guide explains four major ESU opportunities:

1. ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition
2. ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition
3. ESU Public Speaking Competition
4. ESU International Public Speaking Competition

These competitions are related, but they are not the same. One rewards performance and interpretation, one rewards formal debating, one develops structured public speaking, and one sits at an international level.

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Quick Comparison

Information checked on 6 July 2026 using the ESU competition records in CompeteMap. ESU dates, fees, regions and registration windows can change each year, so families should always confirm the latest cycle on the official ESU website.

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What Makes ESU Competitions Valuable?

ESU competitions are not only about being naturally confident. In fact, they are often most useful for students who are still learning how to express themselves clearly.

They can help students develop:

• confidence speaking in front of others
• careful listening
• structured argument
• expressive reading and performance
• teamwork
• quick thinking
• audience awareness
• resilience under pressure

These skills matter for English, drama, politics, law, history, debating, Model United Nations, university interviews and leadership roles. They also help quieter students find a voice in a structured setting.

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1. ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition

The ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition is aimed at younger secondary students and focuses on performing Shakespeare aloud.

• CompeteMap: ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition
• Official page: ESU Performing Shakespeare
• Typical level: ages 11-14 / Years 7-9
• Entry route: school-based

This competition is a good fit for students who enjoy drama, English literature, speaking aloud or character work. It is not only for students who already see themselves as actors. It can also help students who enjoy English but need a more physical and expressive way into language.

What Does It Test?

Students usually need to show:

• understanding of the chosen Shakespeare text
• vocal clarity
• emotional interpretation
• control of pace and pause
• confidence in performance
• connection with the audience

The best performances are not simply loud or dramatic. They show that the student understands what the words mean and why the character is saying them.

Who Should Consider It?

This competition suits students who:

• enjoy acting, drama or English
• like memorising and performing
• want to build confidence
• respond well to creative feedback
• may later enjoy public speaking, debating or theatre

It may be less suitable for a student who currently finds performance highly stressful unless the school can provide supportive preparation.

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2. ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition

The ESU Schools' Mace is a major schools debating competition. It focuses on formal debate: argument, structure, teamwork, rebuttal and persuasive speaking.

• CompeteMap: ESU Schools' Mace Debating Competition
• Official page: ESU Schools' Mace
• Typical level: ages 11-18 / Years 7-13
• Entry route: school-based

This is the most natural ESU competition for students interested in law, politics, economics, philosophy, current affairs or Model United Nations.

What Does It Test?

Students need to:

• build a clear case
• define key terms
• use examples
• respond to opposing arguments
• speak persuasively
• work as a team
• think on their feet

Debating is different from giving a speech. A debater must listen closely and adapt. A prepared argument is useful, but the match is often won in rebuttal.

Who Should Consider It?

Schools' Mace is good for students who:

• enjoy argument and current affairs
• can listen carefully
• are willing to practise teamwork
• want to develop analytical speaking
• may be interested in law, politics or humanities

It is also valuable for students who are academically strong but need to become more concise and audience-aware.

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3. ESU Public Speaking Competition

The ESU Public Speaking Competition focuses on prepared public speaking and presentation. It is usually aimed at students in Years 9-11 / ages 13-16.

• CompeteMap: ESU Public Speaking Competition
• Official page: ESU Public Speaking Competition
• Typical level: ages 13-16 / Years 9-11
• Entry route: school-based

This competition is a strong middle ground between performance and debate. Students do not need to act a character, and they do not need to defeat an opposing team. They need to communicate a clear idea to an audience.

What Does It Test?

Public speaking rewards:

• speech structure
• clarity of message
• audience engagement
• voice and pace
• confident body language
• thoughtful answering of questions
• teamwork, depending on the format

The best speeches usually have one clear point. Students often weaken a speech by trying to say too much.

Who Should Consider It?

It suits students who:

• enjoy English, citizenship, politics or social issues
• want to become more confident presenters
• can develop one idea clearly
• are willing to revise and rehearse
• may later enjoy debating, leadership or interviews

For many students, public speaking is the most transferable ESU competition because presentation skills are useful across almost every subject.

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4. ESU International Public Speaking Competition

The ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) is the international-level public speaking opportunity associated with the ESU network.

• CompeteMap: International Public Speaking Competition
• Official page: ESU International Public Speaking Competition
• Typical level: older students, often 16-20
• Entry route: national selection / school or ESU route, depending on country

Families should understand that this is not simply a normal open school contest. International public speaking competitions often involve national selection routes, with students representing countries or ESU branches.

What Makes It Different?

Compared with a domestic public speaking competition, IPSC places more emphasis on:

• high-level speech craft
• cross-cultural communication
• international audience awareness
• advanced confidence
• originality of thought
• ability to handle questions and conversation

Students need maturity as well as fluency. A technically polished speech is not enough if the idea is shallow.

Who Should Consider It?

This is most suitable for students who:

• already enjoy public speaking
• have experience in debating, MUN, speeches or performance
• can speak thoughtfully about global or social issues
• are comfortable meeting students from different countries
• may be aiming for leadership, law, politics, international relations or humanities

Younger students should not rush toward IPSC. It is better to build through school public speaking, debating or performance first.

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Which ESU Competition Is Right for My Child?

If a student is shy, public speaking or Shakespeare may still be useful, but the school environment matters. A supportive teacher and gradual rehearsal process can make a huge difference.

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How to Prepare

For Performing Shakespeare

• understand the character and situation
• paraphrase the speech in modern language
• practise voice, pace and pause
• record rehearsals and review expression
• avoid overacting before understanding the text

For Schools' Mace

• read current affairs regularly
• practise building arguments from a motion
• learn rebuttal structures
• hold short practice debates
• review examples and evidence
• listen as actively as you speak

For Public Speaking

• choose one focused message
• write a clear opening and ending
• practise aloud, not only silently
• cut unnecessary words
• prepare for questions
• rehearse in front of real listeners

For IPSC

• develop a mature original topic
• watch high-level speeches critically
• practise international audience awareness
• seek feedback from experienced coaches
• prepare to discuss the speech beyond the script

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Useful Resources

• English-Speaking Union competitions
• school debating societies
• drama clubs and English departments
• Shakespeare text editions with performance notes
• public speaking clubs or workshops
• Model United Nations, for students who like formal speaking
• reputable speech and debate videos used for analysis, not imitation

Students should not simply copy polished adult speakers. Their strongest voice is usually clearer, simpler and more authentic.

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Common Mistakes

• choosing a speech or motion because it sounds impressive, not because the student understands it
• memorising words without understanding meaning
• speaking too quickly
• using too many points in a short speech
• ignoring the audience
• treating debate as shouting rather than listening
• over-polishing until the student's own voice disappears

Parents can help most by asking questions, listening to practice runs and encouraging revision without rewriting the student's words.

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Key Takeaways

• ESU competitions develop oracy: speaking, listening, performance, argument and confidence.
• Performing Shakespeare is best for younger students interested in drama, English and expressive performance.
• Schools' Mace is the strongest route for formal debating and rebuttal.
• The Public Speaking Competition helps students develop prepared speeches and presentation confidence.
• The International Public Speaking Competition is a higher-level route usually connected to national or ESU selection.
• Most ESU competitions are school-based, so families should speak to teachers early and confirm current registration windows on the official ESU website.

Final Thoughts

ESU competitions are valuable because they help students use language in public, not just on paper. Whether a student performs Shakespeare, debates a motion or delivers a speech, the deeper skill is the same: learning to think clearly and communicate with courage.

For many students, that confidence becomes useful far beyond the competition itself.