Concours d’art oratoire is Canada’s largest annual French public-speaking competition. The competition is open to students in every province and territory in a wide range of categories. Thousands of students participate every year in communities big and small for their opportunity to win prizes and/or scholarships to postsecondary institutions.
The In-Person Semi-Finals are public-speaking competitions for French-language learners across the country. Students are tasked with writing and presenting an original three to five-minute-long speech in French on a topic of their choice. They then present that speech at an in-person competition for fellow competitors.
To be eligible for the Virtual Concours Semi-Final:
The winners in each category will receive cash prizes.
Grades 11 & 12
Grades 9 & 10
All participants will also be entered into a draw for door prizes including gift cards, books, and other exciting swag.
The winners in grades 11 & 12 (Sec. 5 & CEGEP 1) are eligible to advance and compete in the National Final, where winners receive scholarships from colleges and universities across Canada worth up to $33,000.
The Virtual Concours d’art oratoire Semi-Final is a public-speaking competition for high school students (grades 9-12) who are French-language learners and are unable to participate in an in-person semi-final competition. Students are tasked with writing and presenting an original three to five-minute-long speech in French on a topic of their choice. They then present that speech in a live zoom competition for fellow competitors and judges. Winners in the grade 11-12 categories qualify for the National Finals.
Deadline to Register: April 19, 2025
Contest: May 3, 2025
Cost to participate: $25
The National Concours d’art oratoire is a public-speaking competition for high school students (grades 11-12) who have won their Semi-Final competition (including the virtual semi-finals and in-person provincial and territorial contests).
Deadline to Register: June 1, 2025
Registration form will open after the semi-finals are complete.
Students advancing to the National Final competition may submit the same video or they may re-record their speech for submission.