Umama and Zaima Win British Council English Speaking Contest

Umaiza Ramin Umama from Sylhet Government Aggragami School and College and Zaima Chowdhury from Dhaka Adamjee Cantonment College emerged victorious in their respective categories at the British Council English Public Speaking Competition 2026. The grand finale of the event was hosted at Hotel Le Méridien in Dhaka on Wednesday (October 14).

The final round featured 20 shortlisted student speakers representing various educational institutions across Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. In Group A (Classes IX-X), Umaiza Ramin Umama secured the championship title, while Zaima Chowdhury clinched first place in Group B (Classes XI-XII).

Organized by the British Council to enhance youth confidence, presentation capabilities, and effective English communication skills, the competition saw participation from 40 national curriculum schools. In the final stage, each contestant delivered an impromptu two-minute speech evaluated out of 50 marks across five parameters: content depth, structural clarity, logical reasoning, contextual relevance, and illustrative capacity.

Commenting on the initiative, Stephen Forbes, Country Director of British Council Bangladesh, stated that communication skills are vital in today's world. He noted that the British Council focuses beyond academic results to teach effective communication, collaborating with schools and universities for the holistic development of students.

The tournament followed a three-tier model, starting with institutional screening before advancing to divisional rounds in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet. The top 20 finalists comprised ten students from Dhaka and five each from Chattogram and Sylhet. Performances were judged by master trainers from the British Council and experienced evaluators from Toastmasters International.

Sharing insights, Zunayed Ahmed, Head of Market at British Council Bangladesh, stated that a two-minute speech is not a condensed version of a long address, but a far more demanding format that leaves a lasting impact. He highlighted that finalists demonstrated exceptional public speaking skills by articulating their thoughts concisely, affirming that the British Council remains dedicated to building such platforms to prepare youth for the future.

The event was attended by school representatives, educators, students, guardians, Toastmasters professionals, and senior officials from the British Council.

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