Course Objectives

• Ensure students have ample opportunities to hone their skills and receive constructive feedback in a nurturing setting.

• Introduce fresh theoretical content related to public speaking each session.

• Aid students in discovering the fun of public speaking, enhancing their overall appreciation for it!

Bookings for Term #1 2024 are now open! 

Key Features

• Runs over two-hour weekly sessions
• Designed for all Year 1 students and beginner-level Year 2 students
• Focus on developing presentation skills by spending the most time preparing and presenting speeches
• Recognises students’ developmental stage and places emphasis on practising speeches and speaking activities rather than theory
• Similar structure each week – students begin with an activity, run through a new element of content and consolidate with practical speaking tasks
• High priority is placed on a supportive and nurturing learning environment
• Small classes to ensure everyone can practice and receive plenty of feedback

Term Focuses

Our Leopards program changes every term, meaning that there is something different to focus on throughout the school year – in particular, students will cover:

• Term #1 – Method and Speech Structure;
• Term #2 – Storytelling and the art of telling an engaging narrative;
• Term #3 – Speaking with Style and persuading audiences; and
• Term #4 – News Reporting and informing audiences.

Term #1 runs from early February to mid-April each year.

One of the hardest parts of writing a speech is knowing where to start. What should I speak about? Which part ought I write first? How can I express my ideas, so my audience will understand where I’m coming from?

This term, students will be focusing on the methods involved in preparing a speech, with a particular focus on structuring their speeches. Utilising activity-based, experiential learning, students will spend most of their time in this program developing a range of presentations – using activities that feel like games – helping them learn how to piece together their thoughts into a coherent and engaging presentation (whilst also finding some time to develop their speaking manner as well)!

After completing the Method & Speech Structureprogram, students should:

• have participated in several activities (that feel like games) in a nurturing class environment, each of which help break down the stigma that public speaking is something to be feared;
• understand the essential elements of a speech, including the three M’s and simple persuasive speech structure;
• have been given multiple opportunities to present to their class in each and every session; and
• have a much greater appreciation of how fun public speaking can be!

Revision of Fundamental Concepts

The program 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 program and ensures that everyone starts on a similar level.

Speech Structure Essentials + Integrating Opinions

After going through the basics, the next couple of sessions look at how to create engaging and structured speeches, particularly by focusing on essential components such as introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions! Students are also taught to think critically about their topics so that they can form and apply their own opinions to create meaningful and interesting speeches. Each of these concepts is coupled with a range of activities to help them apply their skills!

Manner Essentials and Practice Speeches  

The remainder of the program guides students through a range of concepts and interactive activities that are designed to challenge them and improve their presentation skills. These abilities span from non-verbal communication like body language to spoken articulation and beyond and are continuously fortified through routine practice speeches complemented with constructive feedback!

Parent Presentations

The term ends with a parent presentation – an opportunity for students to present to an adult audience.  Parent presentations are not only a great way to help students develop their confidence, but also represent an opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned.  Students generally spend the last couple of sessions preparing and practising their speeches for the presentation.