On April 25, 2026, the Castellana Campus of Camilo José Cela University in Madrid hosted the finals of the 3rd CICAE Public Speaking Tournament, an event that brought together 308 students in 5th and 6th grade and high school from 31 schools across Spain.
This edition once again highlights an essential skill in today’s education: the ability to think, communicate, and defend ideas clearly.
Record participation and nationwide reach
The tournament continues to grow year after year, establishing itself as one of the most significant educational initiatives for developing communication skills.
The 308 participating students reflect the growing interest in these types of experiences, in which learning extends beyond the classroom and focuses on key skills for their academic and personal futures.
A Committed Educational Community
Behind this participation lies a clear commitment from the entire educational community.
CICAE schools actively promote these types of initiatives, committing to an education that goes beyond academic content and places the student at the center of their learning.
Alongside them, the teachers play a key role in supporting the students throughout the process, guiding them as they prepare their presentations and helping them build confidence.
Families, for their part, are also an essential part of this experience, supporting the students and taking part in a final day filled with emotion, pride, and shared excitement.
A transformative learning process
The tournament is the result of work that begins months in advance. Starting in September, students and teachers participate in a training program that focuses on key aspects of communication:
- Verbal and Nonverbal Expression
- Discourse Structure
- Ability to reason
- Confidence in Public Speaking
This process allows students not only to improve their communication skills, but also to overcome their fear of public speaking and develop greater self-confidence.
A comprehensive, bilingual experience
During the finals, the students competed individually in four types of speech: impromptu, recitation, free-topic, and argumentative.
Each participant was able to choose the language (Spanish or English) in which to deliver their presentations, which adds unique value to the tournament and reinforces its open and international character.
These tests place students in different communicative contexts, forcing them to adapt, think quickly, and express their ideas clearly and confidently.
Much more than just a competition
The tournament is a unique educational experience. Throughout the day, there was an atmosphere of camaraderie, respect, and enthusiasm, in which the students not only demonstrated their talent but also shared, learned, and grew together.
As José Antonio Rois, president of CICAE, noted:
“Public speaking is not just about speaking well, but about learning to think better and developing your own voice.”
This third edition confirms the growth of a project that continues to attract more schools and students, solidifying a clear commitment to an education that prepares students for the challenges of the future.
Winners of the Third CICAE Public Speaking Tournament
Category: ESO
Champion Team: SEK International School Ciudalcampo
Runner-up: Colegio San Patricio del Soto
Third-place winner: IDEO School
Elementary Category
Champion Team: Colegio San Patricio Serrano
Runner-up: Colegio Alameda de Osuna
