What's included
10 live meetings
6 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursAssignments
1 hour per week. After learning the 7 techniques learners will apply as many as they can to one poem and perform it in the final week.Assessment
After learning the 7 techniques learners will apply as many as they can to one poem and perform in the final week. They will receive private feedback about what they did well and areas to improve.Class Experience
Does your learner want to enter a poem competition and does not know how to make the poem sound engaging? or perhaps they have entered a few poem competitions before and they want to know how to do better? or maybe they want to prepare a poem for a festival or show? In this class, we will look at 7 key public speaking techniques that learners can then apply to not only any poem, but any other form of public speaking such as a speech (even one they write themselves), a prose extract, or even a piece of Shakespeare. We will also be working on poems in the public domain, often by unknown writers so this will usually suit all competition/festival rules about which poems can be used. We will start each class with some carefully chosen mouth and voice exercises that help develop our articulation and pronunciation (these are brilliant for both native and non-native English speakers to improve their clarity) and a fun tongue twister, before looking at a poem and learning a key public speaking technique. I passionately believe that ANYONE can be a strong public speaker, with the right training. Over my years working as a Teacher, Tutor, Confident Communications Coach, Presenter (TV, Radio, Live, Video, Online), Actress, and Director I have picked up lots of tips, tricks, and techniques that can help ANYONE improve their public speaking skills and confidence. As someone who started as a very quiet, shy child I very much practice what I teach too! *Should any learners be applying for the same competition (although this information can be shared with me privately if you wish, rather than in class) I will remain completely impartial and my intention is that ALL learners develop, improve, and challenge themselves to gain success in the future. Learners are also welcome to book 1:1 classes with me after taking this course or alongside this class for more personalized tutoring (where we can focus on a specific poem). LOOK OUT FOR 'Prize Winning Public Speaking: Prose', 'Prize Winning Public Speaking: Short Stories' and 'Prize Winning Public Speaking: Speeches' coming soon too!
Learning Goals
Learners will learn 7 key public speaking techniques that they can apply to any form of public speaking in the future.
Learners will learn all the steps needed to prepare a text for presentation.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
How can we use changes in PACE when presenting a poem to make it more exciting?
After some warm up exercises to help improve our articulation and pronunciation, we will look at a poem in the public domain, and learn together how applying changes in PACE can make it sound so much more interesting and exciting.
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
How can we use changes in PITCH when saying a poem to connect to the emotions?
After some warm up exercises, we will look at another poem in the public domain, and learn together how applying changes in PITCH can make it easier for our listeners to connect to the emotions in the poem.
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
How can we use PAUSES to help a poem make more sense?
After some warm up exercises, we will look at another poem in the public domain, and learn together how using PAUSES can help the poem make more sense or give it drama!
40 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
How can we use VERBAL PUNCH to make parts of a poem stand out?
After some warm up exercises, we will look at another poem in the public domain, and learn together what VERBAL PUNCH is and how we can use it to help parts of a poem stand out.
40 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Pre-Requisites
Learners must be able to comfortably read and understand up to a 4 verse poem written in English in order to be able to take this class. Although, I am happy to explain words and help with pronunciations.
Supply List
All poems will be provided in PDF form in the classroom and are also freely available in the public domain. Often we will use poems by unknown writers as well. Learners will need different colored highlighters or colored pencils to mark their copy of their poem.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Music/Theater/Arts
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Southampton
I am a fully qualified, experienced teacher (BAPA, PGCE), professional actor, and director, who has also worked as many types of presenter and used many of these techniques to build my own confidence and develop my use of voice and non-verbal presentation. I also have an impressive list of first places, top marks, and going through to the next round from learners I have worked with (both native and non-native speakers).
Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $200 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
40 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-8
2-9 learners per class