The HKFYG English Public Speaking Contest 2027 – 香港青年協會領袖學院 The HKFYG Leadership Institute

The HKFYG English Public Speaking Contest 2027

 
► Apply Now ◄
 
 
*All contestants must be, or agree to become, registered members of the HKFYG
 

Nobody starts fearless.
You just have to start.

For over 24 years, the English Public Speaking Contest has been one of Hong Kong's largest platforms for secondary students to speak their minds. More than 32,000 students from over 400 schools have taken part — some arriving as seasoned speakers, many arriving as beginners, all arriving willing to try.

Public speaking is treated here as more than an English exercise. Every judging panel has more than one adjudicator — professional speakers alongside managers, lawyers, and journalists who use English at work every day, in fields where speaking well is simply part of the job. Whether it is a speaking exam, a presentation, or a pitch you will make years from now, this is a skill you will keep using. Start early. Start big.

This year, the District Preliminary Round returns to face-to-face — the first time since the pandemic moved the contest partially online. The stage is open. It does not ask whether you are ready, only whether you are willing. Nobody starts fearless. You just have to start. 

► Rules and Regulations (To Be Announced)◄

What's new in 2027

Face-to-face District Preliminary Round

After years of online video submission for the District Preliminary Round, every contestant will speak in person starting from round one.

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The Breakthrough Challenge

Selected students who narrowly miss advancing from the District Preliminary Round now have a come-back opportunity through online video submission.

Revamped Best Progress Award Challenge – with more training and an overnight camp experience

A parallel track for students who want to grow, not just compete. Enjoy unlimited training access to AI coach, taught by professional speakers, mentored by past EPS Finalists, and with an overnight camp at our heritage venue in Fanling, measuring progress against your own starting point, not against the field.

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Contest Timeline

Each of the 4 round in the contest, and sessions in the Best Progress Award Challenge, takes place on weekends from late January to mid-April 2027.

  • 11 Dec 2026 (Fri)

    EARLY BIRD DEADLINE

  • 15 Jan 2027 (Fri)

    APPLICATION DEADLINE

  • 23 Jan 2027 (Sat),
    24 Jan 2027 (Sun),
    30 Jan 2027 (Sat)

    District Preliminary Round
    23/1 at The HKFYG Building, North Point
    24/1 at The HKFYG Continuous Learning Centre, Causeway Bay
    30/1 at The HKFYG Leadership Institute, Fanling

  • Tentatively 3 Feb 2027 (Wed)

    [Results Announcement] District Preliminary Round

  • 15 Feb 2027 (Mon), 23:59

    District Preliminary Round – Breakthrough Challenge Video Submission DEADLINE

  • 20 Feb 2027 (Sat)

    Best Progress Award Challenge – Goal Setting Day

  • Tentatively 24 Feb 2027 (Wed)

    [Results Announcement] District Preliminary Round – Breakthrough Challenge

  • 27 Feb 2027 (Sat)

    Best Progress Award Challenge – Tutorial Session #1

  • 6 Mar 2027 (Sat)

    District Semi-Finals

  • Tentatively 10 Mar 2027 (Wed)

    [Results Announcement] District Semi-Finals

  • 13 Mar 2027 (Sat)

    Best Progress Award Challenge – Tutorial Session #2

  • 20 March 2027 (Sat)

    District Finals

  • Tentatively 24 March 2027 (Wed)

    [Results Announcement] District Finals

  • 16 April (Fri) 2027 after school - 17 April (Sat) 2027, AM

    Best Progress Award Challenge – Progress Challenge Camp (with free transportation to the Grand Finals & Award Ceremony)

  • 17 April 2027 (Sat), PM

    Grand Finals & Award Ceremony

Who can apply

✔ Full-time secondary school students in S1–S6 (or equivalent)
✔ Students entering through their school, or individually
✔ NOT a volunteer in this year's contest
✔ All experience levels welcome

►Application channels◄

1. School Application

Your school submits a single form on behalf of all interested students.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

2. Individual Application

Apply directly if your school is not participating, or if you would prefer to enter on your own.

Alumni Sharing

Through HKFYG's contest in 2026, I've learnt that public speaking is truly about being the most genuine version of yourself. In every single round, whether it was through personal experiences in choir or band, or trying to be more humorous, I wanted to add my own flair to my speeches, and not only does that ring well with judges, but it also makes it so much more fun as a speaker.

Andrew James MAN, Diocesan Boys' School, S.4, Senior Division Champion of EPS 2026

PLACEHOLDER

Iqra CHAUDHRY, YPICA Lee Lim Ming College, S.3, participant of EPS 2026 Best Progress Award Challenge & active member of Sir TL Yang English Language Outreach Programme

Application Details

Fees

 EARLY BIRD
(per contestant)		Regular
(per contestant)

(1) School Application
*Certain free perks like AI speech-coaching platform is only available to school applications

(2) Individual Application

HK$150HK$200
(3) Best Progress Award Challenge
*Participants must also enroll in the main contest		-HK$600

Enquiries

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 9307 4315

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1How does the contest work?
District Preliminary Round — 3-minute prepared speech, free topic, held in person across two venues. Top 8 per Preliminary Group advance (each group consists of up to 60 students from the same district and division).

Breakthrough Challenge — Online video submission, free topic. Top 1 per district per division advance.

District Semi-Finals — 3-minute prepared speech, free topic. Top 8 per Semi-Finals Group advance (each group consists of up to 60 students from the same district and division).

District Finals — 3-minute impromptu speech. One of three topics drawn on the spot, 15 minutes to prepare. Top 1 per district per division advance.

Grand Finals — 3-minute prepared speech plus a 2-minute impromptu Q&A, delivered on stage. The Senior Division Champion represents Hong Kong at the International Public Speaking Competition in London.
2Which contest division and district will I be placed in?
Divisions:
S.1–S.3 (Year 7–9) enter the Junior Division
S.4–S.6 (Year 10–13) enter the Senior Division.
You compete against students in your own division at every stage.

Districts:
You are placed in one of five contest districts based on your school's location. You compete against students from your own district at the District Preliminary Round, District Semi-Finals, and District Finals. Detailed district allocations are as follows:
1. Kowloon I — Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong
2. Kowloon II — Kwun Tong, Sai Kung, Wong Tai Sin
3. New Territories East — North, Sha Tin, Tai Po
4. New Territories West — Kwai Chung & Tsing Yi, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long
5. Hong Kong Island & Islands — Central & Western, Eastern, Islands, Southern, Wan Chai

Best Progress Award Challenge — you will compete against your former self. You will not be further placed in any divisions or districts.
3What is the Best Progress Award Challenge?
It is a parallel track that runs alongside the main contest. Participants attend lessons taught by professional speakers, and consultations with mentors, wrapping up in an overnight camp experience. Assessment is based on how much you improve, not on your overall ranking. You must enter the main contest to join the Best Progress Award Challenge.
4Where will I compete?
For the District Preliminary Round:
Contestants from the following contest districts will compete in either The HKFYG Building (21 Pak Fuk Road, North Point, Hong Kong) or The HKFYG Continuous Learning Centre (21-23/F, Congregation House, 119 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong):
- Kowloon I
- Kowloon II
- Hong Kong Island & Islands

Contestants from the following contest districts will compete in The HKFYG Leadership Institute (302, Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong):
- New Territories East
- New Territories West

For the District Semi-Finals and District Finals:
ALL contestants will compete in The HKFYG Leadership Institute (302, Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong)

For the Grand Finals:
Exact venue T.B.C.

For the Best Progress Award Challenge:
Most events will take place in The HKFYG Leadership Institute (302, Jockey Club Road, Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong)
5What if my school is not participating?
Apply individually. You will be placed in the contest district corresponding to your school's location.
6What is the difference between school application and individual application?
Individual applicants apply directly and pay their application fees to us. They receive free skill labs and winner-to-winner sharing.

With a school application, your school submits one form on behalf of all interested students, and we invoice the school for the total amount. School applications receive the same perks as individual applicants, plus extras reserved for schools: schools entering 20 or more contestants receive unlimited access to an AI speech-coaching platform, plus a Certificate of Support.
7What Prizes and Certificates may I recieve?
Every contestant who take part in the Preliminary Round receives a Certificate of Participation. Certificates are also issued at each stage of advancement, from District Semi-Finalist through to Grand Finalist.

Grand Final awards include Champion, First and Second Runner-up, and Merit Awards in each division. Audience members also vote on the day for the Audience Favourite Award. Ranked winners may also receive a prize in the form of book vouchers, and physical trophies.

Best Progress Award — for the participant who demonstrates the greatest growth across the Best Progress Award Challenge.

Printed certificates are available on request at HKD 50 each, postage included. Electronic certificates are issued free.
8Do I need public speaking experience to enter?
No. The District Preliminary Round is open to all secondary students. Judges assess performance on the spot, not how many contests you have won.
9Can I enter the contest more than once?
One entry per student per year. You are more than welcome to take up the challenge again and again every year – as long as you qualify as a full-time secondary school student in S.1–S.6. (or equivalent)
10How will I know if I have advanced to the next round in the contest?
Results are announced by email on the tentative dates listed in the timeline above. Please check your junk folder. Note that some school emails may block external senders — give us your personal email addresses whenever possible.