The 1st Christmas Conference of Motivational Speeches

Last Saturday, on December 14^th, the 1^st Christmas Conference of Motivational Speeches took place in In Down-Town Language School. It was called a Christmas Conference because the holidays are coming and everyone wants to feel and experience something special. Well, all the speakers and guests of the event had this opportunity.

The idea of organizing a conference was inspired by TED talks, a popular website which features ideas worth spreading presented by outstanding people from different parts of the world (http://www.ted.com/). We wanted to see what ideas inhabit minds of our students, especially the oldest ones, the students of the 6^th course.

They all got a task to write a motivational speech on any of the topics suggested (Environment, Arts, Technology, Personal achievements, etc.) or a topic of their choice. After the first round we received 18 speeches, each of them contained an exceptional idea, but we chose only 10, the ones which reflected the personality of a speaker and looked really persuasive. For some reason, only 7 speakers could finally participate in the conference.
And that's how it was...

7 speakers, 10 guests, a Christmas tree, warm light, home and friendly atmosphere.

Each speaker had a topic different from the others and sometimes even contradicting the others, like “Drugstores should sell fast food” vs “My sports achievements”; “The importance of reading” vs “Computer games are better than they are said to be”. That proves that there is not only one truth. And we should think outside the box.                                                                        

7 speeches passed like 5 minutes. Some speakers entertained us with the slides introducing different computer games, others struck with good humour or a very good level of English or self-confidence, which was also important.

But there was only one winner, the person who impressed the audience the most. And it was Anastassia Karnaushenko with her poem “The more you do, the more you try, the more you will achieve in life”. This girl managed to memorize the whole poem and present it in such an inspiring way that her victory was unquestioned.

The awarding ceremony. All the participants got diplomas, and the main prize was a certificate for two tickets to the cinema.

Before the awarding ceremony we had an interactive part discussing the year of 2013, which is coming to the end, and all the remarkable events which have happened so far in the world. All the guests, among whom there were 4 foreigners (Germany, Scotland, USA, Russia), were involved into the activity. Everyone had an opportunity to speak up and be heard that evening.

When the official part was over, the guests enjoyed Christmas treats and informal talks. It was a truly warm evening and nobody wanted to leave.

We hope that this Conference will become a good tradition for our school and will be supported by next generations.

And what we would like to say to our current 6^th course students is we are proud of you, you are the most courageous – keep it up!

You may watch all the speeches here:

And here is the winner's speech:

“The more you do, the more you try, the more you will achieve in life”

These words I keep reminding to myself,

When my world seems to be disaster,

Like it is something like a magic spell

That makes the things sort out faster. 

And unbelievingly it works,

With every single aspect

When I’m tired, sick, when studying sucks

I’ve never tried to get rid of that.

I search for reasons, answers or ideas.

What gives me inspiration?

Oh, certainly, I can just copy mature things.

What had prepared an elder generation?

It is a heritage – from ancient times

People were curious and many-sided,

They had their passions, gave a try

To everything their minds desired.

Was it a science, music, theatre or art?

You were a free bird, beyond the laws.

Work hard, proceed and become smart

Right they developed for that cause.

Starting with Julius, the greatest Caesar,

 Who made his name by winning battles,

Not everyone admits – it wasn’t measure

He read and furthermore he grew up apples

Da Vinci – not only an artist, but inventor

And Ivan Grozny liked to ring in bells

Den Brown is a journalist and writer

Hugo on free time sang some pagan spells

The history is teaching us, that hobbies

Are these essential parts of our life

Without them we are just programmed robots, zombies

Without them we will just die

And as for our world, which’s full of rush

People are just forgetting – life is pleasure

Instead of painting life with their own brush

They’re simply waiting for another pressure.

This is the problem of a mankind, first of all

We’ve lost ability to have enjoyment.

Supported by amount of problems in the world,

We think it leads to unemployment.

Solution is right there - before us!

We should take everything in our hands.

There are a lot of things we must discuss.

That’s why we need a lot of clever minds.

So how to broaden mind?

Take up a hobby!

Begin it easy. It is right!

Never forget – it is your story.

And only you have power to decide

What should be there or what to add.

What kind of things to set aside

And what to aim your future at.

Some months will definitely pass

And after all you’ve tried,

You might remember my first class.

When I advised you – “fight!”.

And certainly you will remember phrase

Which leads to your own raise:

«The more you do the more you try.

The more you can achieve in life»

Hope to see you at our next events!