Public Speaking Wombats

During presentations, it is interesting to note that the majority of our attention, approximately 93%, is directed towards the speaker’s body language and tone of voice, rather than the specific words they use. This is because we as humans are drawn towards those who sound like they know what they’re talking about – we’re drawn to Confident Communicators.

Our Term #3 Wombats program aims to help mid-primary students develop their own style of public speaking that comes across as both competent and confident. This not only helps engage audiences, but also gets them onside and much more likely to agree with what you’ve got to say.

By combining this theory with plenty of practice speeches, individualised feedback and self-reflection, students will be able to come into their own, and develop their own personal brand when making speeches!

After completing the Confident Communicators program, students should:

• have been exposed to the main sources of public speaking anxiety, and how to overcome them;
• understand how to look confident, sound confident and feel confident when presenting; 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 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.

Convincing Audiences

For the Confident Communicators focus for our Wombats program, students will generally cover:

• Topic #1 – Introductions, icebreakers & revising presentation skills fundamentals
• Topic #2 – The main sources of public speaking anxiety, and how to overcome them
• Topic #3 – How to look confident when presenting
• Topic #4 – How to sound confident when presenting
• Topic #5 – The importance of feeling confident – or at least pretending to feel confident – when giving a speech
• Topic #6 – 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 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!