Public Speaking Penguins

Things like public speaking don’t exist in a vacuum – when we present to audiences, we normally want to achieve something. This is particularly important for those in leadership positions, which is where our Future Leaders focus comes in.

Across Term #4, our Penguins students are taken through a range of concepts that are crucial to help those in (or aspire to be in) leadership positions engage with their audience. Students are taught how to identify what they want to achieve in their role, the different styles of leadership that can get them there and how to prepare and present speeches that get their audience and potential followers onside.

These are then coupled to a range of activities and practice speeches to help students develop into the leaders they were born to be.

Over the Future Leaders program, students will:

• consider leadership generally, and how to determine priorities for action;
• look at different types of speeches leaders need to give, and how they can best be prepared; and
• have various opportunities to practice and receive feedback on their speaking style.

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.

Leadership Speech Essentials

For the Future Leaders focus for our Penguins program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & public speaking fundamentals
• Topic #2 – Leadership generally, and the different types of leaders
• Topic #3 – Determining priorities to focus the message within presentations
• Topic #4 – Techniques to make leadership speeches more engaging

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

Practice Speeches & Activities

The remainder of the program introduces them to various concepts and activities that will help enhance their public speaking 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.