Top 16 Finalists Selected! Winners of the 'EF Global Speech Contest 2026' Announced

EF Education First Japan, a global education organization operating language programs in over 110 countries, held the finals of the 'EF Global Speech Contest 2026' for middle school, high school, and technical college students on June 7, 2026, at its Tokyo headquarters.

The 'EF Global Speech Contest (EFGSC)' is designed for students across Japan. 250 students participated in the 2026 competition, with 16 finalists advancing to the final stage held at the EF Tokyo headquarters.

The competition emphasizes not only English proficiency but also the ability to organize thoughts and communicate them effectively. A key feature of the final is the 'impromptu speech' without prepared scripts. Participants were given themes on the day and had limited preparation time to synthesize their ideas and deliver speeches in English based on their experiences and values.

This year's themes were: for middle school students, 'What is the hashtag for your generation?'; for high school students, 'Based on the three hashtags that represent you, what social issues would you like to solve?'. Finalists discussed their perspectives on generational issues and societal concerns.

Judging was based on five criteria: Content, Language (vocabulary/expression), Delivery, Creativity, and Passion. After a strict evaluation, the winners and runners-up for each category were decided.

In the middle school category, topics included 'AI users' and 'diversity.' In the high school category, participants addressed topics such as 'AI,' 'conflict and discrimination,' and 'aging societies,' proposing solutions based on their awareness of these issues.

Themes for the final round:
- Middle School (General/Advanced): 'What is the hashtag for your generation?'
- High School (General/Advanced): 'Based on the three hashtags that represent you, what social issues would you like to solve?'

Winners:
- Middle School General: Risa Yoshino (Message: 'Never give up on what you love.')
- Middle School Advanced: Kaede Yamashita (Message: 'One small individual power can become a great driving force.')
- High School General: Ayu Watanabe (Message: 'The importance of finding what you love and sharing it with friends.')
- High School Advanced: Manami Kise (Message: 'Freedom of career choice for women.')

Judges noted, 'This year, we saw many speeches that broadened the scope from personal experiences to societal issues, with students offering their own ideas and proposals.' They concluded, 'We highly evaluated the students' ability to organize their thoughts, communicate them in limited time, and express unique perspectives beyond just English proficiency.'