Announcing…The Great Speeches Challenge

Published on
April 30, 2025
|
Updated on
April 30, 2025
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📖
4
min read
This article may contain affiliate links
Written by
Alastair Budge

Are you ready to learn English with some of the most iconic speeches in history? The Great Speeches Challenge will start on Monday, 5th May. Here's what's waiting for you inside.

Announcing…The Great Speeches Challenge
Table of contents

Exciting times, we are kicking off the month with a brand-new challenge.

The theme for this challenge is "Great Speeches", and over the next 21 days we'll learn English through some of the most iconic speeches in English history.

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three weeks, you'll receive a new video-lesson all themed around an iconic speech.

We'll listen to the speech together, then I will go through it line by line and explain vocabulary, cultural importance, and certain uses of rhetoric.

Your "task" will then be to write a short piece of writing related to the speech using this advanced vocabulary you'll learn in the lesson.

Here’s a taste of what’s waiting for you:

  • Master English rhetoric: Learn powerful expressions and natural phrases used by legendary speakers.
  • Sharpen your listening: Break down real-world English with authentic recordings (no “learner” versions).
  • Boost your writing: Practise with short, practical tasks based on real vocabulary.
  • Get instant feedback: Use Da Vinci, our AI-powered tutor, plus personal support from me every step of the way.
  • Finish stronger: End with a richer vocabulary, better listening skills, and knowledge of iconic speeches.

How it works: You’ll receive 3 new lessons per week, each taking just 20–30 minutes, so it’s easy to fit into your schedule.

When: Monday, May 5 – Sunday, May 25, 2025.

It has been a lot of fun to make, and I’m sure it will be even more fun to do.

If you're already a Pro Member, you can register directly with the link below.

👉 Register for The Great Speeches Challenge

If you aren't yet a Pro Member, head to this page, grab yourself a Pro membership and then your registration for the challenge will be automatically approved.

Who will enjoy this challenge?

  • You love learning English through stories, history, or powerful ideas
  • You enjoy listening to English but want help understanding it more deeply
  • You’re tired of textbook-style learning and want something more inspiring
  • You want to practise writing in a way that feels meaningful, not mechanical
  • You want to learn vocabulary and expressions that real speakers actually use
  • You’re curious about how English is used to persuade, inspire, and move people
  • You’d like to connect with other learners and  curious minds from different backgrounds
  • You know that detailed feedback is essential to help improve your writing and vocabulary

What are the dates of the challenge?

📅 Registration closes at midnight on Sunday, 4th May

📅 The challenge starts on Monday, 5th May and runs until Sunday, 25th March.

You’ll also have lifetime access to the challenge materials, so you can go through everything at your own pace—even after the challenge ends

Who can take part in this challenge?

Participation is included for free for all Pro members of Leonardo English (or anyone who became a member before 1st March 2023)

I’m not on the “Pro” membership. Where can I get it?

Yes! You just need to upgrade to a Pro membership to access the challenge.

📌 Pro membership includes:

Full access to the challenge (and all future challenges)

Downloadable study packs for every episode

Bonus episodes & exclusive content

Instant transcripts & translations in 12 languages

To upgrade, simply click here, grab a Pro membership, and your challenge registration will be automatically approved.

Note: if you became a member before March 2023, you are automatically entitled to take part for free.

Why should I do this?

Most English courses (or challenges!) are pretty boring. You'll learn vocabulary terms or grammar out of context, or if it is "in context", it will be through some tedious (probably AI-generated) scenarios like "giving a presentation at work" or "ordering a coffee".

This is completely the opposite.

It's a hands-on, practical challenge that will:

  • Help you build your vocabulary using real, powerful English spoken by some of history’s most iconic figures.
  • Train your listening skills with authentic English—not slowed down or simplified “learner audio.”
  • Give you guided writing practice based on natural, meaningful language from each speech.
  • Show you how to notice and actually use expressions, phrases, and grammar patterns in your own English.
  • Connect you with a community of motivated learners—and with English that actually matters.
  • And most importantly… it will be fun.

    How long do I need to spend doing this?

    Three lessons per week, each with short practical tasks.

    💡 We recommend 20 minutes a day, but you can adjust based on your schedule.

    The challenge is designed for busy people—even if you don’t have much time, you’ll still get a tonne of value.

    I'm shy and would rather not share in public

    Totally understandable! But… the magic of this challenge is in sharing.

    ✔️ Everyone is learning together, so there’s no judgment.

    ✔️ It’s not public—only other challenge participants can see it.

    ✔️ Seeing other people’s work will help you improve faster.

    💡 That said, you can still follow along with the lessons without sharing anything.

    OK, I’m ready. How do I register?

    You can register for the challenge here.

    Please note, Pro membership is required to be approved.

    I have another question

    Please email challenges@leonardoenglish.com

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