TutorABC Junior and Oxford University Press Hold Children English Speech Contest, Drawing Over One Hundred Young Entrants

[Taipei, September 2, 2026] As Taiwan advances its bilingual education policy and private secondary schools place growing weight on spoken expression and impromptu response, opportunities for children to stand on a formal stage and demonstrate confidence have become increasingly valuable to parents. TutorABC Junior, the leading online English brand for primary school students, partnered with Oxford University Press to hold the 2026 TutorABC Junior Summer Children English Speech Contest. The final was held on 29 August at the Gis Convention Center on the National Taiwan University campus in Taipei.

Registration opened in July and drew a strong response nationwide, with more than one hundred children submitting single-take speech videos for the preliminary round. After a rigorous professional selection process, 35 finalists advanced to the live final.

On the day of the final, Mark Avery, official representative of Oxford University Press, travelled to Taiwan to sit on the judging panel alongside Sidney Huang, Group Marketing Vice President of TutorABC, and Arthur Schmitt, Assistant Academic Director of the TutorABC academic team.

Mark Avery praised the standard of the finalists: “The children of TutorABC Junior proved that they are not only English learners but future global communicators and leaders. To take the stage with such confidence in a non-native language at this age, and to show clear reasoning and adaptability in the impromptu question round, is genuinely remarkable.”

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A 60-Day Programme in Speech and Critical Thinking, Not Just a Contest Day

Unlike most talent competitions, which focus solely on the score achieved on finals day, TutorABC Junior built a complete programme in spoken English and critical expression into the contest itself. Participants began a 60-day development process from the moment they registered.

A speech skills preparatory course on registration, removing the guesswork:

On completing registration, each child received a dedicated speech course covering topic selection strategy, speech structure, intonation and stage presence, so that the method of expression was clear before the preliminary video was recorded.

One-on-one refinement with foreign teachers for finalists:

The 35 finalists received tailored one-on-one tuition with live foreign teachers, refining script logic line by line, correcting pronunciation weaknesses and running simulated question and answer practice.

A 45-minute workshop on finals day to defuse stage anxiety:

Before the final began, the TutorABC academic team led participants through stage movement, speech technique and body language on site, so that each child took the stage in the steadiest and most confident frame of mind.

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The Impromptu Question Round, and an Oxford Co-Signed Certificate

The most closely watched element of this year’s final was the requirement for each child, having delivered a prepared speech, to face an unannounced question from the judging panel. The round allowed no script and no preparation time, and was scored independently, making it the decisive element of the competition.

According to the TutorABC academic team, a repeatedly rehearsed script rarely reveals a child’s real level. Only an unannounced question round shows directly whether a child can understand, organise a line of reasoning and respond clearly in English on the spot. Those few dozen seconds of live exchange reveal the communication ability a child has genuinely internalised.

The standing of the contest also rests on substantial support from Oxford. TutorABC is the only online education partner in Taiwan to hold Oxford Quality assurance certification, and its foreign teachers receive regular training from Oxford.

Beyond the attendance of the Oxford representative as a judge, all 35 finalists received an English Speech Honour Certificate co-signed by TutorABC Junior and Oxford University Press, providing an internationally credible record for future school applications and learning portfolios. Each participant also received a TutorABC Junior official mascot bag, marking the courage and the change shown by every child.

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Give a Child a Stage, and Everyday Effort Leaves Something to Be Proud Of

Sidney Huang, Group Marketing Vice President of TutorABC, commented: “The value of a stage lies not in winning but in igniting courage. Watching children move from tentative practice in front of a screen to taking the stage with confidence is why TutorABC insists on guiding children with internationally recognised education quality, so that every child can see their own potential.”

The mother of one finalist also shared: “Over these two years of watching my child learn with TutorABC Junior, what has meant the most is that he is no longer afraid of English. He used to practise through a screen, and today he stood on a real stage in front of a foreign judge and answered questions coherently. He was shining up there. What TutorABC Junior gave him was not an examination score but confidence he will carry for life.”

A child’s English ability should not remain confined to a paper test. Rather than waiting until a child is fully prepared before looking for a stage, the more effective approach is to provide opportunities to perform early. The feel for the language and the habits of thought accumulated day by day are what prepare children for academic challenges and for the international stage.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. My child has only basic English. Can they take part in a contest like this?

Yes. The contest is grouped by English level, and the entry-level group reads a designated passage rather than writing an original speech, with scoring focused on pronunciation and intonation. A speech skills preparatory course is provided on registration, covering topic selection, structure and stage presence, so children are not left to work it out alone.

Q2. What training and recognition do participants actually receive?

A 60-day process begins at registration: a speech skills preparatory course for all entrants, one-on-one refinement with live foreign teachers plus simulated question practice for finalists, and a 45-minute workshop on finals day. All 35 finalists received an English Speech Honour Certificate co-signed by TutorABC Junior and Oxford University Press, along with an official mascot bag.

Q3. Why does the impromptu question round matter?

A prepared speech can be rehearsed. The impromptu round allows no script and no preparation time and is scored independently, so it shows directly whether a child can understand a question, organise reasoning and respond clearly in English on the spot. It closely reflects the impromptu response that private secondary school assessments look for.

Q4. How does the certificate help with school applications?

The certificate is co-signed by TutorABC Junior and Oxford University Press, giving it international credibility for school applications and learning portfolios, and it evidences real experience of presenting entirely in English. TutorABC is the only online education partner in Taiwan holding Oxford Quality assurance certification, with foreign teachers trained regularly by Oxford.

Q5. How can a child start building English speaking skills now?

Add LINE to book a free children English speech class and an English level analysis. A consultant plans a timetable around the child’s year level and ability. Online one-on-one lessons involve speaking in every session, and that daily accumulation is the most practical preparation for the next contest.

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