Using a Course to Help Me Teach My Students Public Speaking

I teach at a high school, and I really wanted to become the advisor to a debate club. Unfortunately, our school is small and has never had any club like that. In order for me to start the club and know what I am doing for these kids, I needed to take a public speaking course for kids. Not a course that taught children how to speak, but a class that taught me how to teach children how to speak. I found that course online. It is “How to Start and Run a Youth Public Speaking Course” by Julia Morgan.

What was great about this public speaking course for kids was the fact that I have never seen anything like it, it works great for all ages, and it helps the children learn leadership skills. This learning style can be used for children who are six years old, or even students in college. This course teaches a way for the students to be running the meetings themselves with me just supervising as “chairperson.” It is so nice to see my students have the confidence to run a meeting, ask questions, and give speeches with out giving it a nervous thought.

What could have been better about this public speaking course for kids was the price, the amount of instructions, and the fact that it is an ebook. The course is very expensive for such essential knowledge. It is my belief that every school should have this course available to teachers, and it should not cost so much money for them. I already charge my students a materials fee, but that only covers the materials they use in their meetings, not the cost of the course. I also think the course gave too many instructions. It did not leave a lot of room for creativity, and it leaves me wondering if the changes I make will be effective. I also do not like reading the book on my computer, and it is too costly to print the entire book. I would prefer to order this in a hard copy from a book store.

Overall, I am grateful that I purchased this public speaking course for kids. I have learned a lot about teaching, and I really think it will help my students become successful adults. I would recommend this book to my fellow teachers.

You might also be interested in this public speaking course by Shore Slocum.