This class is taught in English.

Good speech organization and preparation is essential for anyone who wants to deliver a meaningful speech.  This course provides students with advanced speaking skills with creative opportunities to (1) organize their ideas for a speech presentation, (2) deliver a quality speech, and (3) give and receive positive speech feedback. 

Advanced speaking skill practice includes:
Week #1 - Introductions / Conversation Skills
Week #2 - Speaking with Confidence / Impromptu Speaking Skills
Week #3 - Conducting an Interview / Speaking & Listening Skills
Week #4 - Storytelling / Speak With Expression (Vocal Variety)
Week #5 - Storytelling / Using Props & Gestures
Week#6 - Informational Speech / Use Facts to Support Opinions With Presentation Slides
Week #7 - Informational Speech / Summarization Skills
Week #8 - Motivational Speech / Speech Organization
Week #9 - Motivational Speech / How to Inspire Others
Week #10 - Persuasion / Use Facts to Influence Others
Week #11 - Create a Commercial / Use Persuasion to Influence Your Audience
Week #12 - Lights! Camera! Make a Video / Video Speaking & Presentation Skills

Advanced speakers can also practice speeches they may be preparing for a contest, TED talk, podcast, video, or event.  The students and teacher will provide feedback that will help students improve their speeches or presentations for a special event or purpose.

My name is Dr. Julie Connor and I am a confidence builder.  I help students discover their unique voice and speak in front of others with confidence. Students will learn how verbal and nonverbal communication such as eye contact, voice, and body language can strengthen (or weaken) a terrific speech.  They will develop writing skills to organize information, craft a quality speech, and deliver a strong presentation. 

I have prepared students to compete in local and national speech competitions as a coach and critiqued presentations as a speech contest judge.  My doctoral degree is in education. I am certified to teach elementary education (K-8) as well as secondary communication arts, speech and theater, English, and science education. I have more than 30 years of teaching experience in traditional and online classrooms.  I empower student teachers and seasoned educators with the same creative and interactive strategies I use with students. 

As a TED and school assembly speaker, I help students throughout the country talk about tough topics.  I equip teens with skills to communicate and resolve conflicts. I empower them with skills to create SMART personal goals that prepare them for success. I am the author of an award-winning personal goal-setting book, Dreams to Action Trailblazer’s Guide.  Visit www.DrJulieConnor.com for more information.

Julie Connor, Ed.D.
Outschool Teacher | Public Speaking Coach | Author

Homework Offered
Learners with advanced speaking skills will practice public speaking skills and discuss how to prepare a variety of different speeches in each class.  Speech preparation and practice 20 - 60 minutes of time outside of class will be required for different speeches in this course.

Students will choose a specific speech topic on DAY 1.  They will develop the content of their speech throughout the week and deliver their speeches on DAY 2.  The amount of preparation time will vary for each student (typically 15 - 40 minutes).  Students will be encouraged but not required to use an outline for the development of their speech (provided after enrollment in the class).

For students requesting a grade for this class, completion of the speech outline each week can provide evidence of homework completion.  I will be happy to provide written grades and feedback for the outlines UPON REQUEST.
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
Class discussion, thumbs up / thumbs down, brainstorming, read aloud sharing, step-by-step check-ins of the outline progress throughout the class, guided practice to check for understanding, independent writing practice; self-assessment, positive feedback to and from students in the class

Assessments of student performance and understanding of speech construction can be provided to students requesting a grade UPON REQUEST.
Grades Offered
If your child is taking homeschool classes or need credit to meet school expectations, I can provide your child with a letter grade and a certificate of completion UPON REQUEST.  I am a certified teacher.  I have 30+ years of teaching experience in K-12 classrooms and as an online teacher.

I have a doctorate in educational leadership and an EdS, MS, and BS in education.  I am cross-certified in elementary education as well as secondary language arts, speech and theater, and science education. 

Please contact me so I can learn details about your child's educational needs and expectations.

* "My Speech Outline" (created by Dr. Julie Connor, Ed.D.; provided to students before class)
* Additional resources related to the week's topic will be provided to each student prior to class.
* Speech topic PowerPoint presentations created by Dr. Julie Connor, Ed.D. will be shared with students during each class session.