'Green Voice Contest gives opportunities to students nationwide'

"Green Voice" provides opportunities for students nationwide, including individuals who are not yet proficient in public speaking skills, according to Ms. Phan My Linh (Vietnam Debate Federation).

Ms. Phan My Linh, M.Sc., is a co-founder of the Vietnam Debate Federation and a member of the expert panel for the Green Voice competition organized by the Foundation for a Green Future ( Vingroup ). She hopes that the values ​​the competition brings will serve as a foundation for spreading public speaking and debating skills to students across the country. Prior to the event, the M.Sc. shared many advantages and advice for contestants before they entered the intense competition round.

Ms. Phan My Linh, M.A. - Co-founder of the Vietnam Debate Federation. Photo: Provided by the subject.

- As one of the pioneers of debate in Vietnam, how do you assess the public speaking and debating skills of Vietnamese students today?

- The concept of debate emerged in Vietnam about 7 years ago. Back then, it was very difficult to find students with strong debating skills. Over time, I've seen this gradually change.

In recent years, many parents have recognized the positive impact of debate on their children's thinking and academic abilities. Students gain access to a wider range of information, fostering a desire to express themselves and voice their opinions. Therefore, more and more parents are interested in and want to invest in their children's debate education from an early age.

However, the "water flows to the lowest point" phenomenon persists. Debate, especially in English, has only developed in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, Green Voice is contributing to solving this problem. Instead of creating barriers like professional debate competitions and concentrating participants in a specific region, the competition gives contestants nationwide the opportunity to raise their voices, helping them get started in this field.

Ms. Phan My Linh, M.A., trains middle and high school teachers in public speaking. Photo: Provided by the subject .

- In your opinion, what qualities do students need to become good orators and debaters?

- First, you need respect and trust from your parents and school. One problem that causes many debaters to give up is a lack of family support. To develop their abilities from a young age, students need a family and learning environment that encourages them, allows them to speak, and respects what they say. That environment is a space for them to express their opinions and share their thoughts.

Furthermore, students need opportunities to access information from diverse sources. We should build a foundation for them by sharing various information sources, encouraging questioning, and fostering a desire to explore and discover. Opportunities to engage with new and diverse knowledge will help students develop more multifaceted and objective perspectives, laying the groundwork for critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

- As a member of the expert panel for "Green Voice," what are your impressions of the organization process and the quality of the contestants?

- Upon learning about the Green Voice competition and being invited to serve as a member of the expert panel, I was delighted that Vingroup and the Foundation for a Green Future recognized the importance of public speaking and debate. I was impressed by the attention and investment the organization has given to the competition, awarding prizes of substantial value.

From over 500 entries in the preliminary round, we selected 122 individuals and teams from 70 schools across 32 provinces and cities nationwide. This demonstrates the competition's initial success in helping students access and become familiar with public speaking and debate.

Students from Vinschool Grand Park High School pose for a photo with a standee promoting the competition. Photo: Vingroup

- What makes the "Green Voice" competition different for the younger generation?

Debate and public speaking competitions in Vietnam are now organized very professionally and are approaching world standards. However, this also creates many barriers for beginners.

I find the Green Voice competition to be professionally organized and to play an important role in popularizing public speaking and debating skills among students, something we have long desired. The organizers have visited schools nationwide to provide opportunities for students.

Through such meetings, students will receive significant support in terms of morale and time as teachers and the school understand the value of the competition. Teachers can also offer suggestions and assistance to students in completing their assignments, and the school will recognize high achievements. Through the competition, teachers and the school will also see public speaking and debate as a new trend.

In addition, contestants have the opportunity to meet and learn directly from leading experts in Vietnam and around the world in the fields of environment and sustainable development.

Students at Viet Duc High School listen to the organizers of the competition share their thoughts. Photo: Vingroup

Furthermore, the Green Voice competition has open rules, is not overly difficult, and still adheres to international standards. The gap between contestants is not too large. The organizers do not place too much emphasis on professional skills or confrontational competition to reduce pressure and allow contestants to participate more easily and interact. Even without strong skills, contestants still have a chance to win if they have good ideas.

- 122 individuals and teams will advance to the Head-to-Head round, which will take place live in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Do you have any advice for them? Which students participated ?

- In the upcoming online workshop for contestants, I will guide you on how to prepare a presentation that meets the standards and is as comprehensive as possible. In addition, students will gain a better understanding of the competition rules for the Head-to-Head round, the basic principles of public speaking and debate, and the criteria by which their presentations will be judged.

One unique aspect of this round is that many participants are competing in debate for the first time, and it's understandable that they feel anxious and nervous presenting before the judges and facing their opponents. Therefore, this discussion session is an opportunity for me to share with them how to maintain confidence, stay relaxed, and focus in order to deliver an impressive performance and achieve good results.

Nhat Le

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