Public
Speaking: Jumpstart Your Skills
A three-session
introductory course, Jumpstart Your Skills is designed
to help anyone gain the ability and confidence to speak to an
audience, large or small. Core speaking skills are presented and
participants practice these skills in workshop-style sessions.
The course
focuses on three essential public speaking skills: Organizing
Your Speech Ideas; Using Vocal Variety for Emphasis; and Body
Language and Gestures to complement the spoken words. These skills
are generally recognized as key elements of effective oral communication.
The course
typically consists of three two-hour workshops. Each workshop
focuses on one speaking skill. We begin each session with a discussion
of one of the three topics. We explain the fundamentals of the
particular skill, and how to use it to enhance the speaker's oral
presentation. We then guide the participants in preparing speeches,
which they present in the second and third sessions. Prepared
speeches are usually 3-5 minutes in length, and can be about a
topic chosen by the participant.
In addition,
each session includes a segment that gives participants the opportunity
to speak extemporaneously, by responding to topics introduced
by an instructor. The best way to learn to speak on your feet
is to practice, and this segment of the training provides participants
with a chance to do just that.
To strengthen
their ability to recognize good speaking techniques, participants
are also given the opportunity to present an evaluation of one
of their fellow speakers' prepared speeches to the group. This
helps reinforce the key elements of good public speaking, and
also provides another kind of speaking opportunity.
Feedback
The instructors
provide oral feedback to participants throughout the workshops.
Speakers may also choose to have their prepared speech videotaped
on a VHS or digital format. This recording is intended to be viewed
privately by the participant. This is a most effective learning
tool and a lasting reference for speakers as they improve in their
ability and confidence.
