The International School of Kuala Lumpur opens its doors to the 42nd annual SEA Forensics and Debate tournament, where students from several schools compete across seven areas – solo acting, duet acting, oral interpretation, original oratory, debate, impromptu and extemporaneous speaking.
Held from February 13 – 15, this is the longest-running competitive activity held at ISKL, celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year, and participants from both our school and visiting schools are excited to uphold the tradition for another year.
So what exactly is the SEA Forensics and Debate Tournament all about?
Tournament director Patricia Podersek explains, “I often receive a confused reaction when I mention the tournament. ‘Forensics…um, so do the students conduct crime scene investigations or something?’”.
“In today’s world, the word forensics conjures up images of corpses and fingerprints; however, the word claims similar roots as the Latin ‘forum’, or public space.
‘Over time, it was used in conjunction with courts and legal proceedings, and has ultimately come to represent powerful public speaking, which is what our tournament will celebrate”.
Students from ten different schools around Malaysia come gather to participate in a range of public speaking events or disciplines, some political and others more theatrical.
The schools taking part in the tournament this year are Dalat International School, The International School of Kuantan, Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar, SMK Assunta, SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, SMK Taman Seraya, St. John’s Institution, SMK St. Mary, Wesley Methodist and the International School of Kuala Lumpur.
Patricia continues, “Three of these disciplines ask students to prepare speeches within strict time limitations, on topics shared just moments before, while others allow preparation.
‘Judges and audiences can expect dramatic expressions, powerful rhetoric, an appreciation and awareness of the world, and most especially, passion. The students’ enthusiasm and commitment to commentary on the human experience is an event not to be missed”.
This year’s SEA Forensics is also most special as we all took a moment to remember Mr. Alan McLean, a driving force behind SEA Forensics over many years, who passed away in September 2019.
ISKL community members are invited to attend the finals on Saturday, 15 February 2020, in the Melawati Theater, from 8:15 am until 5:00 pm. The full schedule can be found on the SEA Forensics website. Do come to show your support!
