Public Speaking: Creating Confidence - Crash Course Edition

Public Speaking is a skill that is very important for everyone to be able to do successfully in their every day lives. Yet, it is something that is very scary for many children, I want to teach it through positivity and encouragement, to build their confidence. This is a beginner's public speaking class, and there is no prior knowledge required, just an eagerness to learn! 

I have a degree in Communications and it is something I have always been passionate about teaching and sharing with others. Public Speaking in particular is something that in the professional world, and academic world, you use every day. Being able to stand up in front of a crowd and confidently share a story, inform others, or persuade an audience is a priceless life skill that I promise your child will benefit from. 

Through this class, I will teach the basics of public speaking (using the PVLEGS method), as well as covering 3 different types of speeches. 

This class will be a mix of lecture style teaching, fun games, and active participation by all students. Students will be expected to give a 5-7 minute speech at the end of the two weeks, using all that they have learned. 

Topics we cover will include: 

Week One: 

Poise and Voice - Children will play games to learn appropriate speaking and volumes for different scenarios, as well as learning how to properly present themselves while giving a speech. 

Life and Eye Contact - We will learn about each other and learn how to connect life and life experiences into our speech to connect with our audiences, we will also play fun and silly games to focus on eye contact - and how much of it is needed and appropriate 

 Gestures and Speed - Students will learn how to gesture appropriately and how to use the space they are given to present speeches in both a formal and informal setting. We will work on pacing and play games and do activities to practice our speed with speaking. Speed is a common problem that arises with public speaking jitters, and practicing is the best way to alleviate that! 

 Week Two: 

Types of Speech Introduction - We will begin week two by talking about the different kinds of speech (informative, persuasive, and narrative), the differences, and when to use each one. We will play games identifying different speeches and guessing their types.

 Summary, Speech Prep, and Presentations - We will wrap up any loose ends and review what we have learned over the previous lessons and then begin to prepare our speeches. Children will present a speech to the class on one of the last two days of class using all that they have learned! 

This will be an engaging and entertaining course where your child can build friendships and learn, while playing fun activities and games to build their confidence. Being successful at speaking in public comes from an inner confidence that I hope to help foster in your children during these short two weeks, as we learn and grow together. I hope to see your child in my class! 


**Please note this class is very heavily discussion based and if the class is not full, we may end a few minutes early. I will always do my best to stay the full time though! **