Frankly Speaking Speech Competition 2026

A Benjamin Franklin House speech competition in collaboration with the US Embassy London and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

Formerly the Frankly Speaking Debate Competition, in 2026 we will be relaunching the competition with a new focus on public speaking and speech giving. As part of our America 250 celebrations, this new format will emphasise the power of the spoken word, encouraging young people aged 16-18 to engage with important themes and topics surrounding American independence and democracy.

Benjamin Franklin exemplified Enlightenment beliefs like the primacy of reason and critical thought. In his role as a colonial agent, and later as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Franklin regularly had to advance his opinions in the face of challenge and criticism, which he did with careful argument and wit.

In that spirit, and to encourage tomorrow’s thinkers today, Benjamin Franklin House proudly holds the Frankly Speaking Speech Competition for KS5 students, in collaboration with the US Embassy London.

In 2026, we will be inviting students in Years 12 and 13 from across the country to deliver speeches in the Constitutional Hall of the United States Embassy in London to an audience of their peers and teachers as well as staff from the Embassy and Benjamin Franklin House and representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Head over to our News & Blog page to read articles from previous competitions and see pictures from each event.

For information about the competition please contact our Head of Education.