
Public Speaking for Teens...
After many years of teaching and coaching speech and drama, public speaking and youth leadership workshops in the private school system, I took for granted that students would be able to stand up and speak with confidence, clarity and success. In the schools that I had the privilege of teaching in, students were consistently provided with many rich and diverse opportunities to stand up and speak – this speaking experience was ingrained in the culture of learning. From Kinderg

It’s not rocket science!
“Great speakers are not born; they are trained”
It’s not rocket science! “Great speakers are not born; they are trained” - Dale Carnegie. Great speakers are not born; they are most definitely trained. We are all born with the ability to learn, develop and master the art of public speaking and presentation. I believe the following three words can transform your ability to speak with confidence, clarity and success at every presentation: Respect! Attitude! Coaching! Respect! Effective public speaking is like any skill – if y

How do you hook your audience into your story?
Conflict… There is nothing like it! No matter where you present… Or, to whom… People of all diversities Connect to stories. And every story is more powerful When the conflict of that story is Excruciating…because we all know That eventually that conflict will be resolved. Without conflict there is no drama… Without conflict there is no resolution. Think about your favourite movie or book? What was it that made you keep watching? Or, made you turn the page? It was the conflict

The Power to speak up…
Lives within in you!
The Power to speak up… Lives within in you! Do you need more power in your vocal projection? You might like to try the following… Lips slightly touching, breathe in and out through the nose and let the air out on a gentle s sound. e.g. sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss See how long and even this can be…some people can do this for 45 seconds! Lips slightly touching humming on the outward breath and then open the mouth … e.g. mmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Your voice is your instrument - Use it to its full potential!
Your voice is your instrument…use it to its full potential! The first steps to developing your voice… Relaxation… Your voice reflects the emotions you feel and attitudes you believe in. If you are bored, your voice will lose much of its flexibility and range; if you are tired, your voice becomes limited to a few dull notes; and if you are anxious or for any reason on edge, your voice will be strained on to a higher pitch and be hard in tone. The first steps to developing your

Breath Control – the Key to Effective Communication
Welcome to our first blog at Speaking Tips! I remember when I was training to become a speech and drama teacher, I was asked to present a speech on the importance of correct breathing methods for effective presentation. Little did I realise then how significant breath control was, and is, in effective oral communication. Needless to say that breathing exercises feature in the coaching and training programs we provide – not only because it strengthens your vocal projection and