Conquering the world is not only the matter of mastering foreign languages but also being smart in using technology. Seeing the development, English Department Student Association (EDSA) organized National English Speech Competition for Senior High School and Vocational School students on Sunday (10/5) in Mini Theater of Building D. The theme of the competition was ‘Duo SIM Card to Access the World’.

In line with the theme, according to chief of the committee Luthfiana Umahati, EDSA noticed that being intelligent in using foreign languages, particularly English, was not adequate to confront global challenges. It needed bravery to express ideas and opinions regarding the current development, especially technology development. “Skills of mastering technology and languages are related one another since both are a package which we should possess as young generation. Vanquishing the world could be undertaken through coining work and creativity, and one of the examples is conducting this speech competition,” he said.

Joining the national speech competition were various schools in Indonesia as SMA Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta, SMAN 1 Semarang, SMK Muhammadiyah Sempor, SMAN 3 Ponorogo, SMAN 2 Klaten, SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Yogyakarta, MAN 1 Yogyakarta, SMAN 1 Turi, SMAN 4 Yogyakarta, SMAN 1 Rantau Pulung-Kalimantan, SMAN 1 Sedayu-Yogyakarta, and SMAN 7 Yogyakarta.

The competition was also supported by English Education Department (PBI). Secretary of the department Sri Sudarsi delivered a remark and uttered that the department appreciated the event conducted by EDSA. It was the way to promote PBI to high school students. The event also had its own challenge for the participant in delivering English speech. “We do support the event organized by EDSA. It is expected that this event would always be an annual event and be better again,” he asserted.

Furthermore, the winner of the event was Dian Respati Ayu from SMA Muhammadiyah 2 Yogyakarta, the first runner-up was Dwi Anisa from SMAN 3 Ponorogo, the second runner-up was Heni Febriani from SMAN 1 Jetis, the third runner-up was Cahayu Agda Benna from SMA Muhammadiyah 1 yogyakarta, and the fourth runner-up was Widianingrum from SMAN 1 Semarang.