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 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.

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.

Leadership 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.

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!