2025 National Essay Writing and Public Speaking Competition

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Are you a senior high school student (Grades 10-12)? Strengthen your written and spoken English skills NOW. Challenge yourself, amplify your voice, expand your network, and win exciting prizes!

Theme

Imagining the Future: Build identities. Foster change. Transform lives.

Who Can Join?

Open to all senior high school students (Grades 10-12) enrolled in Indonesia.

Competition Format: Essay writing and Public Speaking

This competition combines your writing and public speaking skills in the English language. As a 21st-century skill, the need for effective communication has never been more crucial in the dynamic world in which we now live. The explosion of communication messages in various forms across convergent platforms has underscored the need for students to be able to navigate different communication genres that resonate with their context and purpose. Effective essay writing and public speaking communication enable you to express yourself and stand out in a sea of voices, being heard in these times of information explosion on convergent platforms. At the same time, it honors your voice and opinion on current world issues affecting scholars like you and education in general.

Round 1: Essay Writing

You will author an essay of 1,200 – 1500 words. Choose any of the following topics below. Your choice of topic will determine whether you are writing to express your reflection or an opinion of interest in education and related sectors. Should you decide to integrate the ideas of others, you must reference these sources by consistently using the MLA or APA referencing format.

Topics

Choose one essay topic:

  • Tell us about a passion that unexpectedly shaped you.
  • Recount a failure or challenge you overcame and what it taught you.
  • Share how your cultural or personal identity has influenced your ambitions.
  • How has your education transformed you?
  • How has AI transformed the future of learning?

NOTE: Use MLA or APA referencing format only if you include external sources.

Judging criteria

The essays that will advance to the public speaking round will be determined based on the following criteria: task response and relevance, tone and style appropriateness, organization and insight, and clarity.

Round 2: Public Speaking Presentation (hybrid mode available)

The top 10 essay writers will advance to the public speaking round of the competition. Finalists from JABODETABEK will deliver a presentation of 5-7 minutes to be followed by Q&A with the judging panel at BINUS INTERNATIONAL SENAYAN FX Campus (6th Floor FX Mall in Sudirman. Those from outside JABODETABEK may have the option to join this round online.

The finalists will defend their essay ideas with clarity and confidence. The use of presentation slides is permitted, but this is limited to approximately 5 slides, with references used as applicable. The slides should be able to visualize their essay ideas, with minimal words and phrases.

The presenters will be judged based on the following criteria: clarity of ideas, organization and coherence, verbal delivery, engagement, and presence.

How will the winners be determined?

The final score for the competition will be based on two equally weighted components: 50% for the essay and 50% for the public speaking performance. The winners will be awarded at the end of the public speaking round onsite.

Submission criteria

  1. For the essay round, click on the registration link, which also allows you to upload your work. You only need to upload the essay (including the title) in MS Word format.
  2. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline for the essay round.
  3. The essay must be your original work. Evidence of collusion, plagiarism, or unethical use of AI will invalidate your entry.
  4. You may only submit one essay.

Important Dates

Registration dates: July 15-September 4, 2025

Essay Deadline: September 4, 2025

Finalist Announcement: September 12, 2025

Presentation & Awarding: September 26, 2025

Venue: BINUS Senayan @Mall FX, 6th Floor / Hybrid for remote finalists

Registration & Submission

More information available on BINUS International 2025 National Essay Writing and Public Speaking Competition

For registration and essay submission, click on Form; or scan this QR code:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prizes & Recognition

BINUS entry scholarships worth up to IDR 127 million are available! Terms and conditions apply. In addition, the winners will be awarded the following prizes:

1st place: Rp 2.500.000 + (trophy + certificate)

2nd place: Rp 1.500.000 + (trophy + certificate)

3rd place: Rp. 1.000.000 (trophy + certificate)

Special awards: Rp. 500.000

All top 10 finalists: Goodie bags + certificate

The finalists will also be featured on our media platforms.

All participants will receive certificates of participation.

Stay Connected

Contest Guidelines: BINUS International 2025 National Essay Writing and Public Speaking Competition

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Questions? Email us at lc.senayan.binus.edu