Many schools these days hold Whole School Public Speaking Competitions encouraging students to develop their confidence in preparing and presenting confidently in front of an audience.

It usually is a big deal and starts with a class presentation. The standouts move to the next level of a stage final before being narrowed down to a few for a school final. It can be a daunting task for many, however, it does prove to help the students write in the correct structure of a speech, use hooks to get the attention of the audience and learn good presentation skills.

When writing their speeches I encourage my students to consider the following;

• It needs a strong opening statement to hook your audience immediately. Avoid “Today, I would like to talk about . . ." or “Hi, my name is…. “ boring! You want to stand out! Use a quote, joke, rhetorical question, fact or statistic.

• Details – at least 3 with elaboration and examples

• Be creative and think outside the square

• Strong ending statement – sum up the topic, and add a reflective comment

• Stick to the time limit. Aim for 2:50 – 3:30.

• Ensure using appropriate language – is it kid language? will your peers understand what you are saying? Do not include words used by your parents or copied off the internet that may be difficult for your student audience to understand

• Include sound effects, a quote, a question, personal story, shocking statement, humour, and/or great facts or evidence

• No props are allowed

When rehearsing your speech consider the following:

• Try to incorporate at least three gestures at appropriate times

• Include expression to show your passion for the topic

• Begin learning your speech off by heart at least a week before you are due to present

• Do not rush your speech. Speak clearly and confidently. You’re the best! Pause to emphasise a point or to allow the audience to react to a fact or joke

• Use eye contact, scan the audience by moving your head not your body

• Stand still and be proud of yourself. You have worked hard for this

• Practise in front of relatives and/or strangers. Ask for feedback and take this on board. Practise in the car, the bath, while getting dressed… Practise, practise, practise!

• Write out your speech with just keywords on palm cards to trigger your memory if you get stuck. Do not read from your palm cards - shows a lack of practice

• Read your speech to yourself in front of the mirror the night before presenting and your subconscious will rehearse it while you are sleeping

When it comes to the timing of the speech consider;

You have 3 minutes. Time matters.

• The introduction should go for approximately 30 seconds

• Your first point should be at least 40 seconds

• You want your second point to go for 40 seconds

• And your third point should also be around 40 seconds

• Sum your speech up in its conclusion in roughly 30 seconds

Encourage your students to use their time wisely and plan accordingly. It is up to them to take responsibility and use their time to plan and practice rather than leaving it to the night before. It is very obvious who has.

• Week 1 - Topics are given - decide on one and consider your ideas. Get organised.

• Week 2 - Write an outline of your speech as a draft and hand it in to your teacher on the Friday on an A4 page

• Week 3 - Take your teachers feedback on board. Make changes if needed. Write your final version. Write the speech on palm cards. Begin to practise

• Week 4 - Refine palm cards to just key ideas. Have a trial in front of your teacher if you would like

• Week 5 - Class final - Present speech to the class during the week

• Week 6 - Four children chosen for Stage Final - If successful, practice!

• Week 7 - Stage Final

• Week 8 - Four children are chosen for Whole School Final. If successful, practice!

• Week 9 - Whole School Final. Winners announced at assembly

Reward your students with a participation certificate and acknowledge those who get through to finals.

Speaking and Listening games to play in order to develop their skills include;

• The Um Game - child chooses either object or animal. Must talk for one minute without saying ‘um’ or too many ‘ands’.

• Categories - children are given a category and must name as many things they can think of that come under that category.

• Description cards - a child must pull a card from a pile of pictures of objects. Then must talk for thirty seconds about their object without naming it. Can the other students guess what the object is that they are talking about after thirty seconds?

• Charades - children must act out a book, movie or song title without speaking. Can anyone guess what it is?

• Poetry - children are given a poem to practice and present to the class

• Debates - children are given statements and must state whether they agree or disagree and why.

Having at least five topics for the students to choose from means you will get a variety of speeches and it will not be so draining as having to listen to the same ideas over and over again when everyone has the same topic.

I enjoy this time of year and in my experience, have always been blown away by the quality of speeches and presentations, despite concerns from parents that it is too big a task especially for a Kindergarten child. I disagree. Of course, they will not be expected to talk for as long but are still more than capable. It can be lots of fun for those with the right attitude.