Taaleem public speaking competition

Tens of children and teens recently spoke out on how to 'beat' the school bully and meet global energy needs at a recent public speaking contest in Dubai.

Pupils of the Taaleem group of schools had two to four minutes to make their case to an audience made up of peers and adults at contest host Greenfield Community School on Tuesday.

Taaleem CEO Ziad Azzam said: "What struck me most was the fact that the participants are not just good speakers; they are confident youngsters who are already able to hold court in front of a room full of people and communicate their ideas with poise and sensitivity, to the extent that the audience was hanging on their words."

The young speakers were sized up according to the content of their speech, delivery finesse and body language – as well as sticking to the time limit.

The best orators walked away with a Taaleem trophy cup, books by Magrudy's and having their names honored on their school plaques.

All participants were awarded medals of appreciation by Taaleem.

This was the second round of Taaleem's annual interschool competition.

It runs eight schools in the UAE, which follow the British, American and IB (International Baccalaureate) curricula.

The Champs

Junior Level (Grade 1-3):
Mia Vitzthum
Uptown School
Topic "In my spare time..."

Intermediate (Grade 4-6):
Eric Young
Uptown School
Topic: "Homework - Good or Bad"

Senior (Grade 7-9):
Theresia Kyalo
Greenfield Community School
Topic: "How to Beat a Bully"

Advanced (Grade 10-12):
Danya Mohamed Hobba
Al Mizhar American Academy for Girls
Topic: "Alternative Energy is no longer just an option"