Frequently Asked Questions

The Association has decided to put the following arrangements in place for this year’s Speech Festival (2024):

• All Solo / Duo / Group Classes would be held.
• Competitions would be held in “Mixed Mode”. Majority of the classes would remain in “Live Competition Mode (LCM)”, with only some solo classes running in “Video Submission Mode (VSM)”.
• Members can enrol their students in the competition from 19 August (10:00 a.m.) to 19 September 2024 (5:00 p.m.).
• The “Competition Notification (CN)” will be released on the Member’s Area of the Association website from 29 October 2024 (10:00 a.m.). Competitors can get preparation for live competitions or video recording for video submission according to the Rules and Regulations.
• Depending on the number of entries in each class and the length of time required for the piece, the Association will allocate competitors of the same class into a number of groups. Each group, being judged by one adjudicator, is independent of the others and so are the adjudication and results.

No. The competition period of “Live Competition Mode” is from 18 November to 18 December 2024. The video submission period of “Video Submission Mode” competition is from 1 November (10:00 a.m.) to 7 November 2024 (5:00 p.m.).

(Reference: Annex 2 “Important Dates to be Noted” of Rules and Regulations)

Competitors can check the competition mode of each class from the class description of both the printed Syllabus and the online Syllabus.

There are total 7 classes to be held in “Video Submission Mode” in English Speech Festival:

• N1 – Solo Verse Speaking, Open, Ages 5 and 6, Boys and Girls
• N2 – Solo Verse Speaking, Open, Ages 7, Boys and Girls
• N139 – Solo Prose Speaking, Open, Ages 5 and 6, Boys and Girls
• N140 – Solo Prose Speaking, Open, Ages 7 and 8, Boys and Girls
• N238 – News Feature Presentation, Secondary 1 and 2
• N239 – News Feature Presentation, Secondary 3 and 4
• N240 – News Feature Presentation, Secondary 5 and 6

As for Chinese Speech Festival, Classes N476 and N478 will be held in “Video Submission Mode”. Competitors can only enrol one of the classes.

Mark Sheet Collection

Live Competition Mode: Competitors will receive mark sheets at the end of the competition in which they have performed. Competitors will bear the risk of losing the mark sheets if they fail to collect them on spot. Otherwise, members should bring their valid original membership cards to the Association to collect the mark sheets and pennants (if any) for their students from 27 January 2025 onwards. All unclaimed mark sheets will be destroyed before the commencement of the next Speech Festival.

Video Submission Mode: Members must bring along their valid original membership cards to collect the mark sheets and pennants (if any) at the Association from 27 January 2025; prior booking has to be made on the Association website. All unclaimed mark sheets will be destroyed before the commencement of the next Speech Festival.

Competition Result Release

Members can download their students’ results from the Association website from 10:00 a.m. on 23 January 2025 onwards. All unclaimed mark sheets will be destroyed before the commencement of the next Speech Festival.

(Reference: Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Part 7 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

This year’s Speech Festival follows the usual judging criteria. For English Speech, adjudication will be based on the overall performance of the competitors, including:

• Clarity of speech
• Interpretation
• Audience awareness

Competitors may decide whether or not their use of gestures, movements, costumes, props, etc. will enhance the quality of their performance. The decision of the adjudicators on all artistic matters shall be final.

Specific judging criteria are set for Public Speaking classes and News Feature Presentation classes. Please see details stated in the class requirements of classes N192 – 201 and N238 – 240.

(Reference: English Speech Part 4 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Part 6 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”

For Chinese Speech, please refer to Part 4 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Part 6 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”.

• Placing will be awarded to the winners of each competing class / group (except Chinese Speech Classes N476 and N478). Only one first place winner will be awarded for each competing class / group, while there may be more than one second place or third place winners.
  However, competitors with less than 80 marks will not be awarded any placing nor prize. Certificates of three levels will be awarded to competitors for their achievement: Honours Certificates (90 marks or above), Merit Certificates (80 – 89 marks), Proficiency Certificates (75 – 79 marks).
• A pennant will be presented to the first-place winner of each class / group. Each Duo will be awarded two pennants.
• For Chinese Speech Classes N476 and N478, no marks and placings will be awarded. Certificates of three grades will be awarded to competitors for their achievement: Honours Certificates (A), Merit Certificates (B) , Proficiency Certificates (C).

(Reference: Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Part 7 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

The enrolment period for this year’s Festival will start from 19 August (10:00 a.m.) and end on 19 September 2024 (5:00 p.m.). Other than University / Post-secondary students, all competitors must enrol in the Festival through the “Online Enrolment System” (OES) by their members. Under no circumstances will late entries be accepted. Please contact their member for the enrolment details. For University / Post-secondary students, please visit the Association website for relevant information.

(Reference: Part 2 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Live Competition Mode: Except N classes, competitors may choose to compete in any one district in U/E/K/Y.
U denotes Urban district (including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, outlying island and Sai Kung)
E denotes New Territories East districts (including Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Shatin)
K denotes Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung districts (including Tsing Yi)
Y denotes Tuen Mun and Yuen Long districts (including Tin Shui Wai)
N denotes classes which will not be divided into districts. These competitions may be held at any venues in U/E/K/Y districts.

• The Association reserves the right to allocate any competitions to be held in any venues.
• In any district where a class has only one entry, the Association reserves the right to group them up with the same class in other districts.

Video Submission Mode: N denotes classes which will not be divided into districts.

(Reference: Point 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 2.5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors should use names identical to that of their Hong Kong ID cards / travel documents / birth certificates. Furthermore, the Chinese name is a mandatory field. If competitors do not have any Chinese name, please fill the English name in that field. For group classes, competitors should use their names identical to that of membership record of the Association.

(Reference: Point 2.1.3 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 2.1.2 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

• Competitors can enrol in classes of different categories e.g. solo verse speaking non-open and solo prose reading non-open. For the categories, please refer to the Table of Contents in the Syllabus.
• Competitors of Solo entries / individual members of Duo entries can only enter one class in the same level / grade / age / category, regardless of the area code in the same class. For example, competitors cannot enrol in both Classes U20 and E20.
• Please also note that in the following category, competitors can only enrol in one class:
  English Speech: Solo Verse Speaking (Non-Open) classes (Classes U/E/K/Y 20 – 70).
  For example, competitors cannot enrol in both Classes U20 and U21.
  Chinese Speech: competitors cannot enrol in both Classes N476 and N478.
• Competitors of Solo entries / individual members of Duo entries who fail to follow the rules on the number of entries will only be permitted to compete in ONE of the competitions concerned. The competition to be retained is randomly drawn electronically. Competitors will be disqualified in the non-retained competitions at any time without prior notice.

(Reference: Point 3.2 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”, and the class requirements)

After submitting the entries, members will receive an automatic email and download the Payment Advice (PA) from the “On-line Enrolment System (OES)”. Upon payment settlement, members can check the Payment Receipts on the Members’ Area of the Association website from 17 October 2024, and download the Entry Form Receipts (EFR) and Competition Notifications (CN) on the Members’ Area of the Association website from 29 October 2024 (10:00 a.m.). Members should distribute both documents to the competitors.

Competition information is given on the Competition Notifications (CN). Members / Competitors can also access the details from the Festival Timetable posted on the Association website from 29 October 2024 (10:00 a.m.) to 6 November 2024 (5:00 p.m.) with:

1. the membership number and password; or
2. the reference number as shown on the Entry Form Receipt (EFR).

The altered items will be updated to the Festival Timetable – Revised Version from 10:00 a.m. on 8 November 2024.

(Reference: Point 3.1.5 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

• Competitors should report to the Festival assistants at the Reporting Time specified on the Competition Notification (CN). Once the competition starts, the adjudicator / Festival assistants have the right to refuse anyone (including competitors) from entering the venue. As a result, a competitor may miss important announcements or his / her assigned order.
• Competitors who fail to perform according to the published order will be considered performing “not in assigned order”. They will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.

(Reference: Point 3.1.6 and Point 3.1.7 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Competitors must bring with them the required valid documents to report to the Festival assistants. For verification of their identity, spot checking will be made. Competitors failing to present such documents to the Festival assistants before they perform will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them. The required documents are as follows:

Solo or duo class competitors must bring:

1. the Competition Notification (electronic or printed copy); and
2. the student ID card / student handbook / Hong Kong ID card* / travel document, all of which must be original and bear a recent photo.

Group class competitors must bring:

1. the Competition Notification (electronic or printed copy);
2. the student ID card / student handbook / Hong Kong ID card* / travel document of each member, all of which must be original and bear a recent photo; and
3. the completed Competitors’ List. Competing teams should download the Competitors’ List (Group Classes) from the Association website. They must complete the form with names, dates of birth and education level of each member, the signature of principal / responsible teacher and school chop.

*The Hong Kong Juvenile ID card does not bear a photo of the holder and therefore is not an acceptable identification document at the Speech Festival.

(Reference: Point 3.1.9 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

No. For live competitions, competitors’ information will be announced by the Festival assistant. When the Festival assistant calls upon a competitor to perform, he / she will read out the competitor’s assigned order as well as the competitor’s name, in Cantonese for Chinese Speech classes; while in English for English Speech classes.

(Reference: Point 3.1.10 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Yes. The title and the author name of the piece have to be announced before performing.

(Reference: Point 3.4.3 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 3.4.1.4 of Chinese Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Neat, tidy and appropriate attire is required during competition.

For Chinese Speech Duo and Group classes, school uniform (including sports uniform) is required. In case of no designated school uniforms, neat, tidy and appropriate attire shall apply. No other attire, headdress nor make up is allowed.

(Reference: Point 3.4.7 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 3.4.1.8, 3.4.3.3 and 3.4.6.2 of Chinese Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Wearing a mask may affect the performance. The Association encourages competitors to perform without wearing a mask. However, competitors have to follow all anti-epidemic regulations by the Government, the precautionary measures by venues at that time (if any) and take the responsibility of assessing their own health risk in any circumstances.

(Reference: Point 3.4.8 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 3.4.1.9 of Chinese Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

No. Practice is strictly prohibited at the competition venues and the surrounding areas.

(Reference: Point 3.5.2 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Competitors of solo classes, duo classes and Public Speaking Team classes may each be accompanied by a maximum of one adult (either a teacher or a parent). In a group class competition, each team may be accompanied by a maximum of five teachers / staff members.

In accordance with the limitations / requirements of the venue or request of adjudicators, the Festival assistants are authorised to take charge of the seating and admission arrangements in the competition venues. For example, seating priority will always be given to competitors of that competition. When there are no sufficient seats at a particular competition venue, teachers or parents accompanying the competitors may not be admitted.

In a solo / duo class competition in which the competitors are divided into batches, the competitors and their accompanying teachers or parents are admitted to the competition venue only during the assigned time slot. They must leave at the end of their time slot. In a group class competition in which the competing teams are divided into batches, a maximum of three representatives of each competing team could stay to watch the competition other than their own batch.

Besides, even if there are extra seats for the audience, non-competitors under the age of six will not be admitted to any competition venues.

(Reference: Point 3.5.1 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

The use of communication or electronic devices is prohibited at the competition venue. Photo-taking and audio or video recording of any part of a competition (including the time for verbal comments from adjudicators and the announcement of results) are prohibited. Photo-taking is only allowed during collection of mark sheet(s). Anyone who violates this rule may be asked to leave the venue. If the person is a competitor, he / she will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.

If downloaded versions of electronic books are used for English Speech Solo Prose Speaking classes, such materials must be properly bound in a book format.

For English Speech classes allowing music and sound effects, note that no electronic equipment is allowed during performance.

(Reference: Point 3.5.6 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Point 3.4.12, 3.4.13, 3.4.16 and 3.4.17 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Competitors can decide when to record the competition videos after members have completed the enrolment procedures.

Competition information is given on the Competition Notifications (CN). Members / Competitors can also access the details from the Festival Timetable posted on the Association website from 29 October 2024 (10:00 a.m.) to 6 November 2024 (5:00 p.m.) and the Festival Timetable – Revised posted on the Association website from 8 November 2024 (10:00 a.m.) with:

1. the membership number and password; or
2. the reference number as shown on the Entry Form Receipt (EFR).

(Reference: Point 3.1.4 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors shall follow the below order in recording the video:

1. Announce their name and class code according to that in the On-line Enrolment System (OES), for example, Chan Tai Man, Class N1.
2. Announce the title and the author of the piece.
3. Perform the whole piece once.

(Reference: Point 4.1 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors should announce in the language of the class enroled.

Yes. The competition video should follow the requirements listed below:

• The video must be a single, continuous shot video footage. Competitors must not stop or pause the camera during shooting.
• Special visual effects (such as filters, transitions, colour adjustments, light adjustments or subtitles etc.), mixing, editing or post-production are not permitted.
• The video must be recorded live and dubbing is not permitted.
• Earbuds / in-ear headphones as sound receivers are not allowed.
• The audio and video have to synchronise and the sound quality is clear and smooth.
• The resolution of the video should be at least 720p (1280 x 720) and must not exceed 1080p (1920 x 1080).
• The shooting has to be done indoors with a simple background and sufficient lighting. Avoid having any bright lights from behind, and virtual or projected background. The recording environment has to be quiet.
• The entire video must clearly show the competitor’s full body (upper body for Classes 238 – 240 News Feature Presentation, if chair and table are used), appearance, actions and posture.
• When shooting, the camera has to be stable without any camera movement (including zoom in / out).
• Not to use amplifiers for any purpose.
• The video must be in one of the following formats: MP4 or MOV.
• The file size must not exceed 2GB.

(Reference: Part 4 and Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Yes. Competitors may decide on their own, provided that the sound quality of the video is clear and smooth. However, competitors must not wear any earbuds / in-ear headphones. Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither marks (grades) nor certificates will be awarded to them.

(Reference: Point 4.4 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

No. Competitors’ marks (grades) will be affected if amplifiers are used during the performance for any purpose.

(Reference: Point 4.5.6 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

The length of the competition video should depend on the content of the competition piece. Competitors must also observe the requirement of specific classes.

Competitors should wear neat, tidy and appropriate attire and observe the specified dress code of specific classes.

(Reference: Point 3.4.5 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode” and Point 3.4.8 of Chinese Speech “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Yes. However, competitors must make sure the competition video follow the required specifications. Please also refer to question 25.

(Reference: Part 4 and Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors may decide on their own, provided that the entire video must clearly show the full body (upper body for English Speech Classes 238 – 240 News Feature Presentation, if chair and table are used), appearance, actions and posture.

(Reference: Point 4.5.4 and Point 4.5.5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors must make sure the competition video follow the required specifications. Please refer to question 25 or Part 4 to Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode” for details.

Competitors should follow the requirements when shooting and recording the video, and the audio and video have to synchronise and the sound quality is clear and smooth. If the adjudicator cannot view the completion video smoothly, marks (grades) may be affected. The adjudication will be based on the overall performance.

(Reference: Part 4 and Part 6 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

If competitor(s) perform the same piece repeatedly in a video, only the first performance will be adjudicated.

(Reference: Point 4.2 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Wearing a mask during recording may affect the performance. The Association encourages competitors to shoot in a safe environment without wearing the mask. Competitors have to follow all anti-epidemic regulations by the Government and the precautionary measures by venues at that time and take the responsibility of assessing their own health risk in any circumstances.

(Reference: Point 4.6 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Members / Competitors have to fill out the related information, upload the video and submit through the designated on-line “Video Submission Form” (Form). It is not acceptable if the submission is via other video platforms or means of submission.

This designated Form will be available on the Association website from 1 November (10:00 a.m.) and will close on 7 November 2024 (5:00 p.m.).

Please reserve time for filling out the related information and uploading the video to avoid heavy upload traffic. The submission time is based on that of the Association server. Any late submission, regardless of reasons, will not be accepted.

(Reference: Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

Competitors should have a valid email address, the Competition Notification (CN) (with Reference Number and Validation Code) and the video.

The Reference Number and Validation Code can be found on the Competition Notification (CN) that will be available for members to download from the Association website from 29 October 2024 (10:00 a.m.). Please ask the responsible member for details.

After the submission of the Form, one will receive an email acknowledging the submission, which will include a copy of the submitted information. Receiving the acknowledging email does not mean the Association confirms that the submission meets the entry requirements and competition rules. Members / competitors must make sure all the information in the acknowledging email is correct, and the video submitted must match with the competitor and class entered.

If any discrepancy is found, please re-submit the Form within the submission period. The Association reserves the right of not adjudicating the concerned videos if the records do not match.

If the Form is re-submitted, the Association will take the information from the last submission as final.

(Reference: Part 5 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode”)

If a request for change is to be made, please refer to the Rules and Regulations Annex 3 “Procedure for Alteration Application”. The altered items will be updated to the Festival Timetable – Revised Version from 8 November 2024 (10:00 a.m.).

(Reference: Point 3.1.5 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”, Point 3.1.4 of “Rules and Regulations – Video Submission Mode” and Annex 3)

Competitors entering more than one class (including English and Chinese Speech) may bear a risk of time clash. This may result in their own decision whether to attend the competition(s) or not. Competitors may submit Alteration Application for a change of group. An alteration quota is set in each group. However, the quota may vary due to the number of entries in a class and the conditions of the venues. Therefore, application are not guaranteed to be successful. Substitution or swapping of competitors, and change of area codes or class numbers will not be permitted after the submission of entry forms.

Reference: Point 2.3 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode” and Annex 3 (Live Competition Mode & Video Submission Mode) “Procedure for Alteration Application”

Members / Competitors can submit alteration applications to the Association in-person or by a delegated person within the Alteration Application Period. A handling fee may be charged for the application. The period is from 31 October (10:00 a.m.) to 6 November 2024 (5:00 p.m.). Please pay attention that change of the group in the same class can be accepted only in the case where:

1. Competition clashes with school examination, test and assessment ($100 handling fee);
2. Competition clashes with dictation or other school events which affects the competitor’s academic results ($100 handling fee); or
3. Competition clashes with another competition of the Festival. (waived handling fee)

An alteration quota is set in each group. However, the quota may vary due to the number of entries in a class and the conditions of the venues. Therefore, applications are not guaranteed to be successful. Members / Competitors should check online at https://www.hksmsa.org.hk the number of groups scheduled in the same class, when and where the competitions are held, etc., and then list on the form their order of preference to show which group they wish to be reallocated to.

(Reference: Annex 3 (Live Competition Mode & Video Submission Mode) “Procedure for Alteration Application”)

Competitors have to prepare the whole set piece from which an extract will be selected by the adjudicator at the time of the competition.

(Reference: Point 3.4.12 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

Yes. Competitors who use downloaded versions of electronic books for Prose Reading classes must show the adjudicator the proof of permission to use the materials at the competition (e.g. ebook purchase receipt). Apart from this, the materials must be properly bound for use in the performance. Electronic device is not allowed. Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.

Competitors should also note that the posture of reading a book is part of the performance. The pieces must be presented as reading aloud from the book which should be held in their hand(s) and read from. Memorised presentation is not allowed.

(Reference: Point 3.3.8 and Point 3.4.12 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

（Reference: Point 3.4.17 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”）

Competitors / members are required to use the Own Choice Form (OC Form) for submission of the titles, pieces and original works. The OC Form should be submitted to the Association through the specific link at the Association website from 15 October (10:00 a.m.) to 21 October 2024 (5:00 p.m.). Submissions through other platforms and formats will not be accepted. After the submission of the Form, one will receive an email acknowledging the submission (the acknowledging email will be sent to the email address provided in the specific link only). This email does not mean the Association confirms that the submission meets the entry requirements and competition rules. It is the responsibility of members / competitors to make sure all the information is correct. In case of any discrepancies between the online form and the OC Form, information in the latter document shall be taken as final. For any repeated submissions, the Association will take the information from the last successful submission as final. Competitors failing to do so will be disqualified.

For Classes 439-441, competitors should also submit their own choice piece to the Festival assistant before the competition. Competitors who violate this rule will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.

(Reference: Point 3.3.6 of “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)

• The number of members in the following Choral Speaking classes is restricted to 25-50. Those failing to comply will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will
  be awarded to them.
• For Chinese Speech (Classes 501-548), each group must perform without a conductor. No sound effect nor fixed setting is allowed. Only props small in size is allowed. Those failing to comply will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them. Competitors should dress in schools uniform. No other attire, headdress nor make up is allowed. Otherwise, competitors’ marks will be affected.
• For English Speech Choral Speaking (Classes 104-122), each group must perform without a conductor. Those failing to comply will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them. Competitors in these classes may adopt variations of movements, music (no electronic equipment is allowed), costumes and props. Teams may decide whether these will enhance the quality of performance.
• For English Speech Harmonic Speaking (Classes 90-99), each group may perform with or without a student / teacher conductor. Sound effects, action, gesture, mime, movement, costumes and props are not permitted. Those failing to comply will only be given comments. Neither marks nor certificates will be awarded to them.
• Each choral speaking team may be accompanied by a maximum of five teachers / staff members. In a group class competition in which the competing teams are divided into batches, a maximum of three representatives of each competing team could stay to watch the competition other than their own batch.
• Choir risers of three tiers with four to five blocks fixed together will be provided for Choral Speaking classes. No electricity, props, equipment, backdrops, etc will be provided.

(Reference: Point 3.4.5, Point 3.4.13, Point 3.4.14, Point 3.5.1.2, Point 3.5.1.4 and Point 3.5.4 of English Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”; Point 3.4.6, Point 3.5.1.2, Point 3.5.1.4 and 3.5.4 of Chinese Speech “Rules and Regulations – Live Competition Mode”)