One of the most necessary skills for success in life is theability to motivate and inspire others with ideas. Writing well is a must, but nothingtakes the place of face-to-face human contact. Teaching students to make apresentation and energize others will give them life-long benefits.
Teachers need not reinvent the wheel. The most accomplishedand well-known organization for leadership and speaker training is ToastmastersInternational. Local Toastmasters clubs follow a prescribed plan for buildingadult leadership, and they provide free programs to students. Your students will come away with greater skill and confidence, and they'll have fun.
From Toastmasters web site:
Purpose of the Program
Everyyoung person has the potential to become a good communicator and leader, butthis potential needs to be developed. The program's unique eight-session,workshop-style design enables participants to develop this potential throughpractical experience.
The program is not in competition with school programs or courses, or otherestablished youth projects. Instead, it's a supplement to these programs,providing emphasis on specialized speaking and leadership skills, andindividual needs. Participants learn to:
Everyyoung person has the potential to become a good communicator and leader, butthis potential needs to be developed. The program's unique eight-session,workshop-style design enables participants to develop this potential throughpractical experience.
The program is not in competition with school programs or courses, or otherestablished youth projects. Instead, it's a supplement to these programs,providing emphasis on specialized speaking and leadership skills, andindividual needs. Participants learn to:
· Overcomenervousness when speaking before an audience.
· Organizeand present ideas logically and convincingly.
· Listencarefully to others' ideas.
· Offeradvice to help others improve their speaking and leadership skills.
· Participatein - and even lead - group discussion or meetings.
Participantsincrease their self-confidence as they learn. They also make new friends andhave fun. Toastmasters is an enjoyable learning experience!
For the Organizing Teacher
Theprogram is presented in eight sessions during or after school, or on weekends.Each session usually lasts one to two hours. Activities taking place in thesessions include the following:
· Evaluationof present speaking ability
· Discussionof chairmanship principles
· Presentationof speeches
· Impromptutalks
· Groupevaluation
· Discussionof speech organization
· Discussionand practice in listening
· Discussionof gestures in speaking
· Discussionof voice and vocabulary
· Exercisein chairmanship
