Public Speaking Honeyeaters

When we are preparing a speech, we often think that the most important thing is the ideas we want to share. Whilst this may be true for us, it is generally not accurate for audiences, who will form their opinions on the way ideas are presented rather than the quality of the ideas themselves.

Over the January holidays, Public Speaking Honeyeaters will focus on building our students’ speaking manner and helping them give captivating speeches to get their audiences onside.

Having students hone their manner and develop their own personal style of presentations is a powerful tool for building confidence and helping them feel comfortable in all speaking environments, allowing them to thrive across a range of situations. This workshop gives students the opportunity to try out a range of manner techniques and to hone their own presentation style and personal brand.

Over thecourse of the Captivating Speeches workshop, students will:

• look at examples of great physical and verbal manner, and what makes them so engaging;

• spend time reflecting on their own abilities and how they might be able to improve their own speaking manner; and

• have various opportunities to practice and receive feedback on their speaking style.

Our Public Speaking Honeyeaters workshop is a mixed-experience level workshop.

There are three groups of students who would benefit from undertaking the Public Speaking Honeyeaters program:

1. those who have previous formal coaching in public speaking or debating – this may be from one of our programs (including our Debating Hummingbirds holiday program, or our Penguins or Parrots weekly term programs), from another provider or potentially through their school;
2. anyone who is trying out public speaking for the first time, as each focus starts from a clean slate allowing students to come in fresh each holiday; and
3. students who have previously completed the Honeyeaters workshop who are interested in developing their speaking skills even further – given the program changes from holiday to holiday, students are more than welcome (and even encouraged) to try it again and again.

If you’re not sure whether your child fits into any of these categories, please get in touch and we can chat about your circumstances!

Alternatively, please check out our video below to see how our holiday workshops function!

Revision of Fundamental Concepts

The workshop starts with a succinct (but important) revision of essential concepts, including audience engagement and speech structure.

This helps set students up for the rest of the workshop and ensures that everyone starts on a similar level – this is especially important for students who don’t have previous exposure to public speaking!

Captivating Audiences

For the Captivating Speeches focus for our Honeyeaters program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & speech frameworks

• Topic #2 – Capturing the audience’s attention at the beginning of a speech

• Topic #3 – Examining, reflecting on and practising their physical manner

• Topic #4 – Considering, reflecting upon and applying verbal manner techniques

Please note that students will participate in speaking activities and practice giving speeches every session in addition to covering the above topics!

Practice Speeches and Interactive Activities

As the workshop progresses, students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of practice speeches and carefully chosen activities aimed at bolstering their presentation skills. These activities span a wide range of emphases, encompassing body language, verbal expression, and more.

These abilities are fortified through consistent practice speeches and constructive critiques, guaranteeing that every student is given a chance to flourish and enhance their skills!

Our classes vary in size every holiday depending on how many bookings we receive – however, the maximum size of our Public Speaking Honeyeaters class is 10 students with one coach, and 16 students with two coaches.

If there aren’t any spots left, it’s usually because we’ve hit capacity – please get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do about either opening an extra class, fitting your child into the existing class, or putting you on a waitlist in case any students pull out!

After the workshop, students will get to keep:

• a personal feedback sheet prepared by their coach, which goes through what they’ve improved on, and what still needs some work;
• a certificate recognising their achievement of completing Public Speaking Honeyeaters;
• a booklet that includes all the concepts they’ve covered over the course of the program, as well as any notes that they’ve taken;
• a completed persuasive speech, which they deliver to their peers at the end of the final day; and
• hopefully a changed narrative in their mind, where public speaking is something to enjoy rather than fear!

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

However, if you’re looking for something different, it’s recommended that students:

• if they want to give debating a try, have a go at our Debating Hummingbirds holiday workshop or Debating Parrots weekly term program;
• if they would like some more regular public speaking practice, giving our Public Speaking Penguins weekly term program a try; or
• if they’re in Year 7 and want more of a challenge, considering moving up to our Public Speaking Polar Bears holiday workshop.

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