Academic Excellence | CIS Student TED Ed Speech: Reflection and Expression from a Global Perspective

At CIS, we are committed to nurturing our students’ holistic and in-depth development. In today’s age of information overload, effective expression is no longer merely a language skill — it is a powerful reflection of one’s thinking structure, value judgments, and emotional awareness.

With this in mind, three months ago under the guidance of Ms. Peggy, we officially introduced the TED-Ed Student Talks program — a global education initiative by TED. This platform offers CIS middle school students a professional and intellectually challenging opportunity to find their voice, sharpen their perspectives, and connect with the world through authentic public speaking.

This project-based learning initiative aligns closely with the existing Alberta curriculum at CIS. Beyond enhancing English communication skills, it serves a greater purpose:

● Encouraging students to think independently and articulate their own ideas

● Guiding them to draw from personal experiences and develop social empathy;

● Strengthening their ability to express complex topics to a live audience;

● reating an authentic and challenging platform that inspires growth and motivation.

Over the past three months, the program was led by Ms. Peggy, who guided students through a systematic study of TED Talk structures, trained them in language pacing and non-verbal delivery, and facilitated multiple rounds of script refinement and peer feedback.

Through this process, four students successfully developed and delivered their full TED-style speeches on stage.

Filipp, originally from Russia, faced the challenge of a language barrier during his first year at CIS. At first, he relied on speaking Russian with the only other student who shared his native language. But when that friend left, he was forced to “disconnect the translator” and face the English-speaking world on his own.

Grade 6 | Filipp

Fortunately, Filipp connected with two classmates who shared his passion for the same game. Their common interest became a bridge — even with limited language, collaboration, laughter, and even arguments came naturally.

“Friendship doesn’t need perfect language,” he shared. “It needs shared hobbies.”

In the end, he not only made progress in English, but also broke through his own limitations and began to truly embrace CIS’s diverse and inclusive community.

His story reflects a journey of cross-cultural adaptation — and a powerful example of language learning moving from passive input to active expression.

JT opened his talk with an incredibly personal experience: his most trusted friend had spread a rumor behind his back — accusing him of bullying others.

But JT was the kind of person who would say “sorry” to a bug he accidentally stepped on.

Grade 6 | JT

He didn’t dwell on anger. Instead, he turned to deeper questions: Why does betrayal hurt so much? Why do we sometimes keep trusting those who hurt us?

“True friends are the ones who stay when everyone else walks away.” Citing psychological research, he explored what true friendship really means—not about who’s there when life is easy, but who stays through the difficult moments.

It was a mature reflection on trust, disappointment, and emotional boundaries—and a bold attempt by a middle school student to speak from the heart.

Cheney began with a childhood misunderstanding: influenced by media reports, he once believed a certain country was dangerous—until his father took him there in person. Through firsthand experience, he realized how fragmented the world of information can be, and the importance of seeking the truth for ourselves.

Grade 6 | Cheney

“My phone shows me one world. Your phone shows you another. But neither shows us the complete truth.”

Drawing on examples such as fake videos and AI-generated content, Cheney proposed three “rules for truth-seeking”: Who benefits? Have you checked multiple sources? Is it worth sharing immediately? His talk reflected strong critical thinking, and highlighted our school’s commitment to media literacy and inquiry-based learning.

Efron’s talk opened with laughter. Through self-deprecating humor, he described several last-minute “miracle finishes”—and then turned to a serious question:“Why are we so afraid to begin?”

 Grade 7 |  Efron

He defined procrastination as a fear of failure, and shared his three personal “strategies”: the chess countdown technique, self-suggestion training, and the two-minute kickstart method.

Though seemingly simple, these tactics reflect his deep understanding of self-management and overcoming internal resistance. His talk is an honest, humorous, and empowering act of self-reflection.

At CIS, we have always regarded expressive ability as an essential pillar of academic development. The TED-Ed Student Talks program is a true embodiment of our belief in academic excellence driving personal growth.

It is more than just a public speaking exercise — it is a powerful integration of multiple disciplines:

As the first official showcase since CIS received authorization from TED-Ed, these four student talks mark only the beginning. In the coming academic year, we will continue to expand this program and encourage more students to take part.

At the end of their talks, students were awarded official TED-Ed certificates.

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Academic Excellence | CIS Student TED Ed Speech: Reflection and Expression from a Global Perspective

Academic Excellence | CIS Student TED Ed Speech: Reflection and Expression from a Global Perspective

Academic Excellence | CIS Student TED Ed Speech: Reflection and Expression from a Global Perspective

Academic Excellence | CIS Student TED Ed Speech: Reflection and Expression from a Global Perspective

We believe that expression is not an accessory — it is a foundational skill for every future leader.

Putting students on stage is not about the applause, but about empowering them to say:

“I have something to say. I can say it clearly. And I’m ready to face the world.”

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