The 19th English Radio Drama Competition
Would you like your students to write a radio play script, showcase their creative talents, and perform an exciting English Radio Drama LIVE in front of audiences?
We are extremely honored to invite your school to participate in the 19th English Radio Drama Competition for Schools. Last year, over 500 teams took part, and we were overwhelmed by the positive response from participating schools. This year, we are thrilled to announce that our competition will continue to be supported by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) and funded by the Language Fund! Our radio drama competition is one of the 5 projects under SCOLAR’s English Alliance 2026/27. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all students who participated in last year’s event.
Through this competition, your students will experience the magic of sound and the power of their creative voices. Beyond improving English skills, scriptwriting, and acting, they will foster team spirit and gain invaluable self-confidence.
Exclusive Workshops for Participants To ensure your students get the most out of this journey and to support teachers every step of the way, Smart Education will provide interactive learning workshops throughout the competition:
- Script Writing Workshop (Phase 1): Essential guidance for all participating teams on creating compelling stories and formatted drama scripts.
- Voice Training Workshop (Phase 2): Coaching for semifinalists on vocal projection, expressiveness, and sound techniques.
- Parent-Child Performing Arts Workshop (Phase 2): Engaging sessions for students (and parents!) focused on stage presence and live sound production.
The participants will be divided into two levels, primary and secondary. The shortlisted teams from each level will be invited to showcase their talents and perform their English Radio Drama LIVE. NO participation fee is needed in this competition, thanks to the generous support from SCOLAR and our sponsors, including Educational Testing Service (ETS), KEA Learning International Ltd, etc. The final competition and prize-giving ceremony will tentatively be held in May 2027.
ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER:
Students attending full-time schools in Hong Kong are eligible to enter the competition.
Students can form a team of no more than 5 members and submit a 5-minute play script of a radio drama
program with the above theme. Teams will represent their schools, and each school can have more than
one team to participate. Each team can only submit one entry for the competition. Teams entering the
second phase of the competition will be asked to record their radio drama program in mp3 format and
submit to us before the deadline.
| Level | Grade |
|---|---|
| Primary School Division | P.1 to P.6 |
| Secondary School Division | S.1 to S.6 |
To provide students with greater opportunities to express their creativity and share their perspectives on significant issues, this year's radio drama competition includes themes such as “Chinese History and Culture”, "Personal Growth and Career Planning," "Information Technology and Social Development," "Sustainability and Life Attitude," and "Positive Values". Each theme includes a topic that allows participants to explore their creative focus.
Participating teams can choose from the following themes for this year's radio drama competition:
| No. | Theme | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese History and Culture | The 24 Solar Terms: Echoes of the Earth | The 24 Solar Terms have reflected the wisdom of Chinese culture in observing the rhythms of nature. From the arrival of spring rain to the quiet of winter solstice, each term marks not only a change in season, but also a way of understanding time, life, and the relationship between people and the Earth. In a modern world shaped by technology, speed, and changing climates, how do these ancient echoes still speak to us? Do they remain as cultural memories, or can they offer new meaning to our daily lives today? Through your radio drama, explore and reflect on the wisdom, emotions, and stories carried by “The 24 Solar Terms: Echoes of the Earth.” |
| 2 | Personal Growth and Career Prospects | The Compass in the Noise | In today’s world, we are surrounded by countless voices — from social media trends and online comments to peer pressure, public opinion, and advice generated by artificial intelligence. Some voices may inspire us, while others may confuse, influence, or even overwhelm us. Amid such noise, what becomes our compass? Is it our values, our experiences, the guidance of people we trust, or the courage to make our own choices? Have you ever felt uncertain because of too many opinions around you? How did you find, or lose, your direction? Through your radio drama, explore and reflect on the choices, struggles, and discoveries behind “The Compass in the Noise.” |
| 3 | Information Technology and Social Development | Prompt Engineering: The Good, the Bad, and the Glitch | As artificial intelligence becomes part of learning, creativity, and everyday life, the way we communicate with it has become increasingly important. A prompt can open the door to new ideas, solve problems more efficiently, or help us see things from another angle. Yet it may also lead to over-reliance, misunderstanding, false information, or unexpected glitches. When we give instructions to AI, are we using it as a tool, or allowing it to shape our thinking? What happens when the answer seems convincing but is not true? Through your radio drama, showcase your AI literacy, explore and reflect on the possibilities, responsibilities, and dilemmas within “Prompt Engineering: The Good, the Bad, and the Glitch.” |
| 4 | Sustainability and Life | Small Hands, Big Planet | The planet we share is shaped not only by great changes, but also by countless small choices made every day. Turning off a light, reducing waste, planting a seed, or speaking up for the environment may seem simple, yet each action reflects how we see our relationship with the Earth. In the face of climate change, pollution, and the loss of nature, can small hands still make a meaningful difference? What responsibilities do children and young people carry for the world they will inherit? Through your radio drama, explore and reflect on the hopes, doubts, actions, and responsibilities behind “Small Hands, Big Planet.” |
| 5 | Positive Values | Being Different, Yet Fitting Together | Every person carries a unique story, shaped by different backgrounds, personalities, abilities, beliefs, and ways of seeing the world. These differences may sometimes bring creativity and strength, but they may also lead to misunderstanding, exclusion, or conflict. In a community, what does it truly mean to fit together? Must we become alike in order to belong, or can diversity become the reason we are stronger together? Have you ever felt different from others, or learned to appreciate someone who seemed unlike you? Through your radio drama, explore and reflect on the meaning of acceptance, connection, and belonging in “Being Different, Yet Fitting Together.” |
| January 8, 2027 (Fri) | Deadline of application |
| January 13, 2027 (Wed) | Phase 1 – Script Writing Workshop for all Participants An interactive session for all participating teams covering the fundamentals of radio drama scriptwriting, character development, world-building through sound, and effective story structuring. |
| February 17, 2027 (Wed) | Phase 1- Script submission deadline * Please email your scripts to drama@mysmartabc.com or fax to 2851 8422 |
| March 12, 2027 (Wed) | Phase 2 - Announcement of the 30 semifinalists (15 teams from each level) * The lists will be announced on www.MySmartABC.com/Drama |
| Late March, 2027 (TBD) | Workshop on Script Writing and Voice Training for the semifinalists A session for shortlisted teams focusing on vocal expression, diction, emotion projection, and creating live acoustic sound effects. |
| Late March, 2027 (TBD) | Parent-Child Workshop on Performance Arts A collaborative workshop designed to bring parents and students together to explore stage presence, creative expression, and dynamic radio drama performance techniques. |
| April 17, 2027 (Fri) | Phase 2- Deadline of the radio drama submission
* Submit a 5-minute radio drama in MP3 format with the script online * Please email your audio file to drama@mysmartabc.com |
| April 28, 2027 (Wed) | Announcement of the finalists * 5 teams from each division will perform their radio drama live for a panel of adjudicators and audience * The lists will be announced on www.MySmartABC.com/Drama Phase 3- Vote for the most popular drama online (April 29 - May 6) * The radio dramas will be uploaded to the website allowing the public to vote for the “Most Popular Performance Award” till May 6, 2027 (Thursday) at 12:00 noon at www.MySmartABC.com/Drama |
| Late May, 2027 (TBD) | Final Competition and Prize Giving Ceremony |
PRIZES FOR EACH LEVEL:
Gold Award with HK$2,000 Smart's Shopping Mall Coupon
Silver Award with HK$1,500 Smart's Shopping Mall Coupon
Bronze Award with HK$1,000 Smart's Shopping Mall Coupon
Merit Award
Best Performer Award
Best Script Award
Most Popular Performance Award
Each winning team will receive a trophy and certificate.
Judging Criteria
|
Phase 1 (Play script for a 5-minute radio drama) Content30% Expressiveness30% Creativity20% Grammar20% |
 |
Phase 2 (5-minute radio drama in mp3 format) Content40% Use of Articulation20% Voice Projection20% Expressiveness20% |
|
Phase 3 (Live Performance) Content20% Use of Articulation20% Voice Projection20% Expressiveness20% Teamwork & |
- Each team shall not submit more than one script.
- Each team must consist of no more than 5 students. Members of a team must be of the same level as listed (i.e. a group consisting of Primary School and Secondary School students is not allowed.)
- Any entries with obscene, violent, malicious or discriminatory elements or involving publicity of or advocating any persons or groups and illegal and unlawful act shall be disqualified.
- Play scripts must be of original content, and materials taken from pre-existing scripts by writers who are not part of the team are prohibited. Entrants who fail to comply will be disqualified.
- Entrants will be solely responsible for the content and any violations of copyright as a result of posting it.
- Entries will not be returned to the contestants.
- The organizer has the right to use, broadcast, share or re-use all entries of the competition.
- Participation in the competition will constitute the participants’ consent to the organizer’s use of the participants’ names, likeness, voices, opinions, photos, scripts, audio, video, performance and information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide; or authorization for other parties to use and edit the above materials for educational purposes or publicity, without further payment or notification.
- The organizer shall own the intellectual property rights of all entries.
- Extra certificates will not be given to any replacement members of a team.
- The decision of the adjudicators regarding the competition results shall be final. Entrants shall have no right to raise objections. The organizer reserves the right to make final decisions on all aspects of the competition.
