Speech and Sport

Tian Ooi

Every year, around Valentine’s Day, a small group of students and teachers pile into a van and head to ISKL. But it’s not for the kind of sport you would expect — there’s no volleyball, basketball, or soccer ball in sight. Instead, the forensics team is armed with scripts and the power of speech, ready to showcase their hard work against a collection of other schools.

Hosted by the International School of Kuala Lumpur, the SEA Forensics tournament is not for the weak of heart. Contestants can participate in a variety of categories. For the drama-lovers, duet and solo acts can take the stage. Oral Interpretation lets storytellers bring a story to life with just their voice and facial expressions, while Original Oratory features speeches written by the speakers themselves.

Impromptu forces students to think on their feet to make a five-minute speech with only a minute of preparation, and extempore students do the same with news-related topics and slightly more prep time. There is also a debate between teams of three, often the highlight of the final rounds.

The road to competition isn’t easy. Forensics students practice their categories furiously for weeks, sacrificing hours after school to perfect every word or sharpen their debate skills. But in the tournament, it’s all worth it. “It’s amazing how much students, through discipline and hard work, can grow in skill throughout the year,” said Mr. Anderson, the debate coach. “Every year, I’m always impressed.”

However, it’s not all work either — indeed, the trip itself is half the fun, allowing students and teachers to bond, make new friends, and enjoy a different environment. Inside jokes are common, asserts Raven Chua (10), saying, “The forensics trip was really fun. But if Aaron Errol had managed to make more references to Norway, I think the debate team could have gotten further.”

All in all, students and teachers alike returned late Saturday night, tired, perhaps, but happy with their experience.