Once-shy girl now talk of town
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Nur Aamily Saffiya Muhd Zabari Izyan, an 11-year-old student from Penang, Malaysia, has transformed from a quiet and shy girl to a celebrated public speaker. Once too timid to speak in class, Aamily has now made it to the third spot in the English category at the iWISE London Global Final 2026, held at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.
Her journey to the top was marked by years of participation in various competitions, each one helping her build confidence and learn how to present herself in front of an audience.
Aamily's transformation began long before her public speaking achievement. She had previously taken part in traditional dance and Young Innovators competitions, which helped her overcome stage fright and taught her how to present herself before judges. These experiences, she says, were crucial in building her confidence. The public speaking competition in the UK was no exception, and she underwent two months of specialized training with two teachers to hone her skills.
One teacher focused on her speaking and presentation abilities, while the other worked on her critical thinking and ability to answer questions.
Before the competition in London, Aamily had already competed in a public speaking event in Dubai, where she won a silver medal. This experience, she says, gave her more confidence and showed her that she could think and speak under pressure, even with minimal preparation time. Looking back, she realizes that every competition she participated in before the London event was a stepping stone, preparing her for the next challenge.
When asked for advice for other children hesitant to speak in front of an audience, Aamily's response is simple: "Don't be afraid to try. If you are afraid, start with something you enjoy. It could be dancing, presenting a project, storytelling, or anything that gives you a chance to stand in front of an audience. Take one small step, practice, and keep trying.
You never know how far you can go until you try." In recognition of her achievements, Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek recently presented Aamily with an iPad to support her learning and encourage her to explore new areas of knowledge.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
