Course Overview

Bookings have closed for Term #2 – please register your interest here if you’re interested in joining for Term #3!

Key Features

Runs over 1-hour and 1.5-hour weekly sessions, depending on venue
Tailored to mixed-experience Year 5 – 7 students
Covers a different focus each term that explores a different fundamental element of public speaking
Provides ample opportunities to explore how these theoretical elements work in practice to improve their speaking skills
Similar structure each week – students begin with an activity, run through a new piece of theory and consolidate with a practical speaking task
Ensures that every classroom environment is nurturing for each individual
Utilises small class sizes to ensure everyone can practice each session and receive plenty of individualised feedback

Term Focuses

Every term, we ensure that our Public Speaking Penguins program helps students understand the fundamentals of speechcraft and how they can best connect with audiences.

That said, the specific focus of the program changes every term in 2025 are as follows:

Term #1 looks at Impromptu Speeches;
Term #2 places an emphasis on storytelling and Compelling Narratives;
Term #3 takes a deep dive into Passionate Presentations and excellent speaking manner; and
Term #4 delves specifically into informative-style presentations for Conveying Concepts.

While it’s recommended that students try each of these focuses, and the emphases change each year, there is no particular need to start with any of them, meaning students are welcome to join at any time!

More Information

Discover how our in-person and online programs differ on our FAQs
Learn more about the SSA Credits & Refund policy
Find out more about the type of things students cover in our blog

When audiences listen to a speech, most of their attention – around 93% – is directed not to the actual words, but rather to the speaker’s physical and verbal manner. Given this, it is crucial to get this part of public speaking right to ensure that any audience is listening.

Over Term #3, Public Speaking Penguins will focus on building our students’ speaking manner and helping them develop Passionate Presentations to help engage their audiences.

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 program gives students the opportunity to try out a range of manner techniques and to hone their own presentation style and personal brand.

Over the Passionate Presentations program, students will:

look at examples of passionate 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 Penguins program is a mixed-level class for students in Years 5 – 7 designed for students starting out in the world of public speaking as well as those with some speaking experience.

Public Speaking Penguins caters for:

Students who have no (or negligible) public speaking experience (all students have to start somewhere, and there is no better place to do so than here – students are welcome to join any time throughout the year);
Students who have already completed one or more terms of Penguins or Debating Parrots (the focus changes every term, so there’s no repetition of content for students);
Students who have given our Year 3 & 4 term programs (such as Public Speaking Wombats or Debating Wallabies) or holiday workshops (such as Public Speaking Honeyeaters, Debating Hummingbirds or Speaking Camp Kangaroos) a try, and want to continue developing their speaking skills!

We usually recommend that students continue with Public Speaking Penguins for as long as feels comfortable before looking at our Debating Parrots program. 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 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.

Finding Passion

For the Passionate Presentations focus for our Penguins program, students will generally cover:

Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & revising public speaking fundamentals
Topic #2 – Opinions, beliefs and why we care about certain things
Topic #3 – Various speech structures students can use
Topic #4 – How to sound passionate when presenting
Topic #5 – How to look passionate when presenting
Topic #6 – The importance of feeling confident – or at least pretending to feel confident – when giving a speech
Topic #7 – Pulling each concept together in an end-of-term presentation

Practice Speeches & Activities

The remainder of the program introduces them to various concepts and activities that will help enhance their presentation skills, which are, in turn, reinforced through regular practice speeches and 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 Penguins 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 Parrots 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 Public Speaking Honeyeaters or Debating Hummingbirds, which build on the skills learned during the term.

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