Youth Speech & Debate Challenge 2026 Grand Finale: Challenging Academic English Proficiency And Critical Thinking Through Sustainable Development Topics
Concluding its inaugural season after more than two months of implementation, Youth Speech & Debate Challenge 2026 created a large-scale academic platform for Southern Vinsers in Grades 6–11 to not only strengthen their academic English proficiency, but also develop research skills, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary connections while exploring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From climate change and public health to quality education, global issues were examined through practical perspectives closely linked to the Vietnamese context as well as students’ own learning experiences and daily lives.
At the Grand Finale, teams drew their topics live on stage and were required to rapidly construct arguments, organize presentations, and engage in rebuttals before the professional Judging Panel within a limited timeframe. The intensive Q&A and debate rounds created an energetic academic atmosphere, while also demonstrating contestants’ problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and confidence when responding to in-depth questions from lecturers specializing in English Language Studies and Teaching Methodology from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City Banking University, alongside Vinschool’s ESL teaching team.
Beyond presenting viewpoints, many teams showcased their ability to connect global challenges with local contexts from multiple perspectives, thereby proposing practical, feasible, and youth-driven solutions. The participation of guest teams from Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted and Luong The Vinh High School further strengthened academic exchange and elevated the professional quality of this year’s competition.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL TEAMS AND CONTESTANTS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT YOUTH SPEECH & DEBATE CHALLENGE 2026!
CATEGORY A
- Champion: Team For a Greener Tomorrow, Vinschool Golden River
- First Runner-up: Team GreenFuture, Vinschool Central Park
- Second Runner-up: Team Valentina, Vinschool Grand World
- Best Speaker: Phan Hoang Quynh Anh, Vinschool Grand Park – Standard Program
CATEGORY B
- Champion: Team BOLD G, Vinschool Central Park
- First Runner-up: Team Fish, Vinschool Grand Park – Cambridge Program
- Second Runner-up: Team ELA, Luong The Vinh High School
- Best Speaker: Le Vu Bao Han, Vinschool Central Park
CATEGORY C
- Champion: Team Nuggets, Vinschool Grand Park – Cambridge Program
- First Runner-up: Team Axiom, Vinschool Central Park
- Second Runner-up: Team LHP, Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted
- Best Speaker: Nguyen Bao Han, Vinschool Grand Park – Cambridge Program
Let’s look back on the memorable moments from the Grand Finale!
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Youth Speech & Debate Challenge 2026 is an English public speaking and debate competition for Southern Vinsers in Grades 6–11 and secondary/high school students across Ho Chi Minh City. Designed as an in-depth academic forum, the competition provides students with opportunities to strengthen research thinking, analytical abilities, and debating skills while exploring topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the competition, students gradually broaden their perspectives, develop independent viewpoints, nurture social responsibility, and build confidence in discussing issues that matter to the wider community.
