Supporting the Strategic Plan of Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) towards World Class University 2025, UKM Bahasa Asing “SAFEL” sought to boost the anima of UNY students in accomplishing achievements in English public speaking. UNY Talent Scouting for Preparation of the National English Speech Competition 2024 or UNY Talent Scouting for short, is an intensive speech training program for UNY students. The orientation of this program is to prepare excellent UNY candidates to participate in national English speech competitions, such as UNY English Competition (UNESHCO). First held in 2024, UNY Talent Scouting initiated by SAFEL’s Public Speaking Department obtained extraordinary impressions from UNY students. Through rigorous selection, 21 people were selected as official participants. As a way of fostering the program, SAFEL has also managed to collaborate with Jogja English Training (JET) Centre.
The training was held at UNY Student Center Building and JET Centre from April 22nd to May 17th, 2024. UNY Talent Scouting training was divided into 3 main agendas, encompassing the First Big Meeting (April 22nd, 2024), Regular Daily Meeting (April 25th–May 3rd, 2024), Last Big Meeting (May 4th, 2024), and UNESHCO Semifinal and Final Intensive Training (May 15th–17th, 2024). The participants were trained directly by Teguh Wicaksono, S.Pd. as the tutor of UNY Talent Scouting 2024. He is also a public speaking practitioner and educator.
Two weeks in a row, with 4 meetings each, participants were encouraged to build a script according to their unique perspective on “Gender Equality”. Participants were asked to explore the realm of early childhood education, women’s rights, and the impact of gender equality in the social structure. Well said this topic is not easy, but therein lies the challenge, of course. Afterward, they were trained to deliver their speech both in terms of matter and manner. Mr. Teguh Wicaksono’s teaching methods sparked the participants’ confidence in delivering speeches in public. One of which is practicing in open spaces in addition to classrooms. Warming up vocals, gestures, and expressions, became a mandatory routine for the participants before starting the training.
The participants’ excitement could be seen when they had the opportunity to show their best performance at the Last Big Meeting agenda. This agenda also crowned the 5 best participants; 1 most progressive participant; 1 most diligent participant; 1 most creative participant; and 1 most favorite participant; as an award for their commitment and hard work during the training. The best participants who qualified for UNESHCO 2024 semifinal round were then further incubated to hone their critical thinking skills during case building and presenting their ideas. This is because, in the semifinal and final rounds, participants were only given 30 minutes to prepare their speeches based on the news articles and videos provided. At least, UNY Talent Scouting helped provide an overview of the semifinal and final rounds that they will face at UNESHCO 2024.
To achieve rhetorical prowess, the zeal of UNY students needs to be nurtured through consistent steps. Indeed, UNY Talent Scouting program is still “young”, but the steps that have been carved are enough to prove that this program has positive impacts on the participants. UNY Talent Scouting is not only a place to improve public speaking skills, but also a supportive and comfortable place for participants to interact with each other, progressing together in this 3-week journey. It measures UNY Students’ ability to jump even higher in the following year.
Finally, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for all parties’ contributions that have made UNY Talent Scouting 2024 come true and created a positive environment for UNY students to practice their public speaking skills. Under the theme “Bridge Over Horizon, Path to A Vocal Triumph”, we hope UNY Talent Scouting program continues being a bridge for UNY students to step confidently as well as gain achievements in various national English speech competitions.
-Lidya and Chika
