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Teaching Public Speaking Skills to High School Students

12/26/2011

7 Comments

 
Here is a strategy to teach public speaking to high schoolers. Break down the task into these steps:
  • Students feel comfortable talking about something they are familiar with or enjoy, so first let them choose the topic.
  • Give them a short two to five minute assignment first. Let them make it either humorous or serious.  They should write out what they will say, limited to a specific word range.
  • Have them work in groups of four for feedback on how to state things differently to accurately get across their point. You should quality control the material for appropriateness and clarity.
  • Give Instruction on what body language to use and not use.  Speakers can focus on audience members who give them positive vibes, being careful not to only focus on one person.  
  • Provide ground rules on being good audiences to each other, such as make eye contact with the speaker, smile or nod approvingly to encourage the speaker. 
  • Students can evaluate each other on these criteria, using a simple 1-3 rating system: a) the pace of the talk, b) the number of "uh's and ah's, c) clarity of presentation d) fidgeting or standing too stiffly e) introduction of the subject to capture attention; f) was there an effective summary etc...?  They should understand that "you" are grading also for participation and enthusiasm.  Students can provide the feedback sheets anonymously, if you think this is best for your group.
  • Let volunteers begin the round of speaking to break the ice, and give the more timid a chance to see it done before they attempt it.
  • Repeat assignments like this a time or two to give students practice-- perhaps before they actually get graded on a longer assignment.
All the above instructions can be given using both seriousness and humor. 
7 Comments
Sal
12/11/2012 05:24:34 am

As a communications specialist and someone who has taught both public speaking at the college level and elementary school - this is bad advice, goes against research, and detrimental to students self concepts at best. Please check the research before you post advice that teachers may look at and use.

Reply
EarlW
12/11/2012 05:46:51 am

Since public education is under performing overall, to say the least, and since my students passed New York State Regents exams at rates of 92% or higher, I stand by my practice because it works.

Perhaps you should cite your research, if you are intending to have a real discussion on the issue. What were your students' exam passage rates?

Reply
Susan link
8/13/2014 12:12:10 am

I enjoyed the information! I am a professional speaker and have taught college level and private tutoring sessions for speaking. Great job! Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Earl link
9/9/2014 01:41:17 am

Hello, Susan.

Thank you for expressing your appreciation. Is "speaking" the primary main topic about which you speak? It is one of those areas in which I constantly try to improve. Do you have a website of information I could visit?

Reply
Susan Harrison link
9/9/2014 06:28:00 am

Not at this time Earl, I speak on a variety of Christian topics. My website is liveoutloudministries.net.
Right now I'm teaching high school students speaking skills.
I am beginning a new job next week where I will be speaking on communication skills, customer service and a variety of other topics.

Although I don't have anything formally written on speaking, I'm happy to email you any tips for any particular issue you are having. You can go to my Website to contact me.

Have a great day!

Susan Harrison link
9/9/2014 10:00:30 am

Not at this time Earl, I speak on a variety of Christian topics. My website is liveoutloudministries.net.
Right now I'm teaching high school students speaking skills.
I am beginning a new job next week where I will be speaking on communication skills, customer service and a variety of other topics.

Although I don't have anything formally written on speaking, I'm happy to email you any tips for any particular issue you are having. You can go to my Website to contact me.

Have a great day!

Beth
10/5/2016 09:26:26 pm

I will be teaching public speaking to high school students for the first time. Can you recommend a high school student friendly book on public speaking that students enjoy reading?

Reply



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