Writing and Speaking – Secondary School
Simulation games
Determine what kind of speech you are going to give based on: genre, situation/event, audience and objectives.
What is the speech according to genre?
– Greeting speech – address;
– thank-you speech;
– Opening speech at an event;
– Closing speech;
– School anniversary speech;
– National holiday speech;
– Secondary / primary school graduation speech;
What is the event/situation?
What is the audience?
What are the objectives?
Simulation game
How to write a speech?
Task 1. Write a solemn (epidictic) speech on behalf of a student. Describe the situation.
The student must write and deliver a solemn speech (congratulatory speech) at an event: the school’s Christmas party.
The atmosphere is pleasant, semi-formal, calm. The event takes place in the hall in the school building.
The audience consists of students, mixed in gender and age, young people from 15 to 18 old.
The aim is to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Write this speech, following the guidelines for a short introduction, highlighting the school’s successes, classes, project work, Olympiad and competition successes, in the main body. Write congratulations at the end.
Thanksgiving speech
Task 2. Write a thanksgiving speech on behalf of a student. Describe the situation.
The student must write and deliver a speech of thanks during an event: awarding a prize for success: a sports event, an Olympiad, a competition, a contest, etc.
The environment is pleasant, semi-formal, calm. The event takes place in the hall in the school building.
The audience consists of students, mixed in gender and age, young people from 15 to 18 years old.
The aim is to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Write the speech following the guidelines for a polite address, a brief introduction, and a brief presentation of successes. Express gratitude at the end to coaches, teachers, team members, advisors, experts, doctors, etc.
Greeting / Congratulatory Address
Task 3. Write a congratulatory / greeting address on behalf of a student. Describe the situation.
The student must write and deliver a greeting / congratulatory speech at an event. A congratulatory message from a member of the sports team to the winning competitor.
The setting is pleasant, semi-formal, there is good humour. The hall is in the school building.
The audience consists of students, mixed in gender and age, young people from 15 to 18 years old.
The aim is to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Write the speech, following the guidelines for a short introduction, highlighting the school’s successes, classes, project work, Olympiad and competition successes, in the main body. Write congratulations at the end.
Task 4. Write a solemn / epidictic speech on behalf of a student on the occasion of the school anniversary. Describe the situation.
The student must write and deliver a congratulatory speech at an event: the school’s Christmas party.
The atmosphere is pleasant, semi-formal, calm. The event takes place in the hall in the school building.
The audience consists of students, mixed in gender and age, young people from 15 to 18 years old.
The aim is to create a pleasant atmosphere.
Write the speech, following the guidelines for a short introduction, highlighting the school’s successes, classes, project work, Olympiad and competition successes, in the main body. Write congratulations at the end.
Example of a solemn (epideictic) – speech:
Dear Madam Principal,
Dear teachers,
Dear friends and students,
I will be brief on this solemn day. We are students of a prestigious school. We have success not only in classes and in individual subjects but we achieve high results in competitions and Olympiads. We participate in projects and develop teamwork skills. We are creative and have a competitive spirit. However, we also work in charity campaigns to help the elderly. I will not mention specific names and details. Today it is time to say that we are part of a community and each of us has the opportunity to develop. The important thing is also to say to ourselves at this moment of celebration: we are succeeding and we will succeed! Happy Holidays!
Example of a welcome speech
Dear Mr Petrov,
On behalf of our class/committee, we would like to congratulate you on receiving the Teacher of the Year Award. It is well deserved and is the result of the evaluation by the committee who decided that you are worthy of receiving it. 20 years of service and 20 years of student success in sporting competitions. These are not just dates and years but proof of the dedicated work of a talented person. Once again, congratulations on the award!
Example of a speech for opening events at school
Hello dear guests! Allow me to open the graduation celebration for the Class of 2022. I am honoured to say that we have succeeded and that this is another successful class. We will have the opportunity to hear from our teachers and principals, graduating students and business representatives. So with those words, let me open the event and welcome the students who will no longer be part of our school community, but will be on their own path. Some will go on to study at universities. Others will decide to find a job. Some will combine work and study. But everyone will have their memories of lessons, of exams, of overcoming difficulties. Everyone will also have memories of funny situations. Everyone will appreciate coming of age in school in their own way. And so let us continue with the celebration.
Example of a speech on the anniversary of the school
Dear Madam Principal,
Dear teachers,
Dear friends and students,
50 years or 5 decades for the time the school has established itself as innovative. Thousands of students graduated in these 5 decades. They not only get diplomas but also knowledge. Students participate in projects, they show that they are creative and organized. Other students join Olympiads and competitions and show that they have knowledge and that they can win. The medals, certificates and diplomas are proof of that. A third group of students also win, they are participants in sports competitions. A fourth group have artistic talents and they perform in celebrations and cultural events. Teachers dedicate themselves to teaching knowledge in different subjects. Principals run the school. We are inquisitive and have respect for knowledge. We get this knowledge in class. Therefore, on behalf of the Class of 2022, I would like to congratulate everyone: teachers, principals, graduating students, and those still in the classrooms on this anniversary!