Public Speaking Wombats

Whilst most people often think that arguments are the best way to get their audience onside, that is often not the case – our Term #2 focus leads students down an alternative path, taking them down the road of crafting Engaging Narratives to connect with their audiences.

In this program, we take a holistic approach to creating engaging narratives and focus on how the three pillars of storytelling – characters, settings and plots – interact with one another. This is then coupled with an investigation of various techniques students can utilise to hook their audience’s attention and keep them enraptured while they present.

With our guidance, students in this program will learn how to spin a good yarn that will captivate their audience and leave them wanting more!

After completing the Engaging Narratives program, students should:

• have been exposed to the fundamental principles that form the foundations of good storytelling;
• understand the three pillars of a good story – characters, settings and plots – and be able to integrate the three together to make an engaging narrative; and
• have been given multiple opportunities to present to their class in each and every session.

Our Public Speaking Wombats program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 3 & 4 designed for students starting out in the world of public speaking as well as those with some speaking experience.

Public Speaking Wombats caters for:

• Students who have little or no public speaking experience (students are more than welcome to join the program any term of the year);
• Students who have already completed one or more terms of our Presentation Skills Leopards or Presentation Skills Lions programs when they were in Years 1 or 2;
• Students who have already completed one or more terms of Wombats (the focus changes every term, so there’s no repetition of content for students);
• Students who have given our holiday workshops (such as Speaking Camp Koalas or Speaking Camp Kangaroos) a go, and are looking to continue their public speaking journey!

We usually recommend that students continue with Public Speaking Wombats throughout Years 3 & 4 – there is a different focus every term, so there’s always something new for students to learn!

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss what’s best for your child!

Revision of Fundamental Concepts

The program starts with a succinct (but critical) revision of essential public speaking concepts, including audience engagement and speech structure.

This helps prepare students for the rest of the program and ensures that everyone starts on a similar level, especially students who have not been exposed to public speaking before.

Forging Engaging Narratives

For the Engaging Narratives focus of our Wombats program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & storytelling fundamentals
• Topic #2 – An overview of the three pillars of storytelling – characters, settings and plots
• Topic #3 – Hooking and keeping audience attention
• Topic #4 – Pulling each concept together and developing engaging stories

Manner Essentials and Practice Speeches  

The rest of the programme leads students through various concepts and engaging activities crafted to push their boundaries and enhance their presentation capabilities.

These abilities range from physical manner (such as body language and stance) to verbal manner (such as tone and pacing), and are regularly covered using practice speeches and constructive feedback!

End of Term Presentation

Each term ends with a presentation, either to peers or parents (depending on the venue). This is an excellent opportunity for students to showcase what they’ve learned over the course of the term and continue their confidence-building journey.

Students generally spend the last couple of sessions preparing and practising their speeches for the presentation.

Coaches will also provide an update to parents on what was covered during the term, as well as what comes next for the students’ public speaking journeys.

As a mixed-experience program, our Public Speaking Wombats program is designed to be completed multiple times – with a different focus every term, there’s always something new for students to take away from the program!

Alternatively, if your child would like to try debating, our Debating Wallabies program teaches students all the essential skills they need to become great debaters!

However, if you’re looking for something during a school break, you may want to try one of our holiday workshops, such as Speaking Camp Kangaroos, which builds on the skills learned during the term.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or get in touch using our contact form to learn more!