SAG’S MULTI!
Multilingual public speaking competition
“SAG’S MULTI!” is a multilingual public speaking competition for pupils from the 7th grade upwards, held annually during the school year. Since 2020 under the auspices of ORF, the competition makes multilingualism visible as a resource, strengthens the recognition of linguistic diversity, and provides impulses for an equitable, diversity-sensitive educational practice. For 14 years (2009 to 2023), we developed, organised, and delivered it as an operational partner – from concept development through to preliminary rounds, regional main rounds, and final rounds held at ORF’s regional studios.
At the heart of the competition are multilingual young people performing across Austria. Participants deliver bilingual speeches, switching between German and another language – whether a heritage language or a learned foreign language – with all languages being equally welcome. Each competition year is framed by a theme that invites multilingual reflection on personal and social questions.
Through these public performances, young people develop their rhetorical and linguistic skills, strengthen their cultural awareness, and experience their multilingualism as a resource and source of self-efficacy. Many return to their schools, families, and peer groups with renewed confidence, bringing fresh perspectives on language and belonging. This creates a role model effect for a way of living together in which diversity is actively embraced as a strength.
