High Schoolers Talk I – Final Reflection 

                                                                  by Bedia TEKŞEN, Ercan Akın Fen Lisesi

The High Schoolers Talk I project has now come to a close, and what a journey it has been. From the first kick‑off meeting in November to the dissemination events in June, every step — surveys, logo contests, collaborative writing, and video recording — built toward one powerful outcome: students raising their voices with confidence and creativity.

What the Surveys Tell Us

The feedback from parents and students confirms the project’s success:

• Parents reported strong awareness of the project’s aims, high motivation among their children, and remarkable skill development. Public speaking (90%), teamwork (68%), digital skills (63%), and cultural awareness (59%) were highlighted as the greatest gains. Satisfaction was overwhelming, with more than 77% rating their experience at the highest level.
• Students showed a remarkable confidence development. At the start, only 14% felt “very confident” speaking English, but by the end, 30.8% proudly identified as “very confident,” and none reported being “very nervous.” They described the project as “educational, inspiring, unforgettable” and celebrated teamwork across borders as their favourite part. The younger grade students also shared on the forum page that they hope to participate in future editions of the project and have more opportunities to interact in English with their partner friends.

Celebrating the Speech Videos 🎤

The highlight of the project was the collaborative speech videos. Students overcame nerves, mastered digital tools, and delivered presentations that were both creative and impactful. These videos are living proof of their linguistic growth, intercultural empathy, and digital literacy. Watching them evolve from shy beginnings to confident speakers was the most rewarding achievement of all.

Equally important were the local dissemination activities, where students took their speeches from the screen to the stage. Public speech events in Burdur and Eskişehir demonstrated that this project model can be successfully applied as a regular classroom or school activity. Standing on stage in English, students proved that the skills developed in this international collaboration are transferable, authentic, and sustainable in everyday education.

 

Final Word

High Schoolers Talk I fulfilled its mission:

• It gave students authentic opportunities to practice English.
• It raised awareness of global issues.
• It strengthened teamwork and intercultural understanding.
• It empowered young voices to speak with confidence.

The project was not only about speeches — it was about building bridges, fostering friendships, and showing that when students collaborate internationally, they achieve unforgettable results.

Congratulations to all our students and teachers for their dedication and creativity. The speech videos stand as a testament to their courage and talent, and the surveys confirm the lasting impact of this journey. Project team teachers, students and parents look forward to continuing new versions of the project.

Thanks to everybody who made High Schoolers Talk I possible. Together, we proved that international collaboration can transform classrooms into inspiring stages of confidence and creativity.