Speak Up! Kids 2026: Singapore’s Largest Public Speaking Competition for Kids
Speak Up! Kids 2026, Singapore’s largest public speaking competition for children, holds its face-to-face finals on Thursday, 19 November 2026, from 12pm to 6pm at the Level 6 Auditorium, JEM. Organised by Speech Academy Asia, the competition has given young speakers from MOE schools a real stage for 10 years, with Solo and Group divisions at Junior, Senior and Premier levels.
When and Where Are the Speak Up! Kids 2026 Finals?
| Date | Thursday, 19 November 2026 |
| Time | 12pm to 6pm |
| Venue | Level 6 Auditorium, JEM, Jurong East |
| Format | Face-to-face finals |
What Are the Speak Up! Kids 2026 Topics?
Each division speaks on its own topic. This year’s themes ask children to think about growing up, technology and what makes us human.
| Division | Topic |
|---|---|
| Solo Junior | Why Every Adult Secretly Wishes They Were a Kid Again |
| Solo Senior | Are We Growing Up Too Fast in the Digital Age? |
| Solo Premier | The Hidden Cost of Constant Connectivity |
| Group Junior | The Day I Swapped Places With My Teacher |
| Group Senior | History is Watching: What Story Will Our Generation Write? |
| Group Premier | A World Fully Integrated with AI: What is Left? (exploring a world deeply integrated with artificial intelligence, and the irreplaceable human elements) |
What Can Winners Take Home?
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Individual winners: a $50 bookstore voucher
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Group winners: a $150 bookstore voucher
Every finalist gains something bigger: the experience of speaking to a real audience and feedback from experienced judges.
How Did Speak Up! Kids 2025 Go?
The 2025 finals were held on Monday, 3 November, with six MOE primary schools and around 70 young speakers taking the stage. Every participant received a Certificate of Participation. The judging panel was:
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Rathi Menon, Miss Singapore Universe 2014, guest judge
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Julianna, Speech Academy Asia trainer, public speaking coach and performer
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Zainuddin, General Manager of Speech Academy Asia
What Is Speak Up! Kids?
Speech Academy Asia started Speak Up! Kids to give children a real platform to practise public speaking, beyond the classroom. Over the past 10 years, hundreds of teams from MOE schools have taken part. Over the years we have partnered with organisations such as Singapore Press Holdings, Mendaki and NTUC Club to bring the competition to more children.
Why Does a Public Speaking Competition Matter for Children?
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Confidence: speaking to a real audience, in a supportive setting, helps children overcome stage fright.
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Communication: children learn to structure ideas and hold an audience’s attention.
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Critical thinking: topics like constant connectivity and AI push them to form and defend a view.
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Teamwork and leadership: group divisions teach children to plan, rehearse and perform together.
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Empathy: listening to other speakers helps children appreciate different perspectives.
How Do We Prepare Young Speakers for Competitions?
Speech Academy Asia specialises in public speaking for children aged 3 to 16. Our trainers coach speakers with our own methods: I.P.A.D (Intrigue, Problem, Address, Delight) to structure a speech, Speech Linguistic Patterns™ for memorable language, Neuro Somatics™ to calm nerves on stage, and the B.E.S.T Model™ (Body language, Emotions, Sentence structure and Tonality) for confident delivery. Explore our public speaking classes for kids or our programmes for MOE schools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speak Up! Kids
When are the Speak Up! Kids 2026 finals?
Thursday, 19 November 2026, from 12pm to 6pm, at the Level 6 Auditorium, JEM.
What are the divisions in Speak Up! Kids?
Solo and Group categories, each with Junior, Senior and Premier divisions. Each division has its own speech topic.
What prizes can winners receive?
Individual winners receive a $50 bookstore voucher and group winners receive a $150 bookstore voucher.
How can my school take part in Speak Up! Kids?
Schools can contact Speech Academy Asia for details on the next run of Speak Up! Kids. WhatsApp us at 9061 1715 or email info@speechacademyasia.com.
Learn more about the competition on our Speak Up! Kids page.
📞 Call or WhatsApp: 9061 1715📧 Email: info@speechacademyasia.com📍 Visit Us: JEM, 52 Jurong Gateway Road, #06-01, Singapore 608550
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