Speechcraft
The next Speechcraft course in Maylands will run from 21 February 2012 to 3 April 2012. There will be seven weekly sessions of approximately 2.5 hours.
Contact Eric at toastm@iinet.net.au or call 9377 1418 day/evening.
Currently 5 of the 10 places are still available
What is Speechcraft?
Speechcraft courses are designed to quickly develop basic public speaking skills. They are given in small groups where all participants work on the same exercises.
Speechcraft vrs Toastmasters Training
Speechcraft concentrates on basic public speaking skills and is designed to develop those skills very rapidly. It is given in a classroom situation, staffed with a number of experienced Toastmasters who give educationals, act as mentors and give positive feedback. The course is designed for a high level of interactivity and is more expensive than regular Toastmasters training.
Regular Toastmasters training is given in a club situation where all members work through the Toastmasters training program at their own pace. Typically there is a wide variety of skills and experience, ranging from beginners through to very experienced members who work on advanced programs. All members learn to support each other, regardless of their level of experience.
Speechcraft vrs commercially available courses
Speechcraft runs in short 2.5 hour sessions spread over many weeks whereas most commercially available courses run over an intense two or three days. We believe that the Speechcraft approach is much more effective because it gives participants time to assimilate the skills taught, reflect on them and then put them into practice. Impromptu speaking is a particular skill that is best developed over a longer period because there is time to reprogram the brain to think ahead while speaking.
Speechcraft is run by skilled volunteers and is much more affordable than commercial courses. There is no pressure to minimize contact hours for a particular monetary return.
Who should do Speechcraft?
Speechcraft is intended for people wishing to quickly develop basic public speaking skills in a classroom environment. It is not recommended for very nervous beginners because the course is very intense and might seem a little confronting. Very nervous beginners progress better with regular Toastmasters training because the program is more flexible and can accommodate a more gradual start.
Peninsula Speechcraft course outline
The course runs over seven weekly sessions. In all sessions participants practice impromptu speaking and in sessions 2 to 7 they also give a prepared speech using techniques taught in the previous session. An evaluation is given after all presentations, initially from an experienced Toastmaster but in later sessions participants learn to give constructive evaluations to each other.
There is a limit of ten participants per group.
At the end of the course participants will be invited to join one of the Maylands Toastmasters clubs, Banyandah on Mondays or Maylands on Thursdays, for six months, to consolidate their new skills. There is no additional cost for the Toastmasters membership.
A total of 12 educational sessions are given, covering all important aspects of professional presentations.
SESSION 1
Educational: Controlling Nervousness. This is an interactive workshop and the material is tailored to suit the participants.
Educational: Impromptu Speaking. Particular emphasis is placed on responding to Table Topics. Participants learn various methods for approaching impromptu speaking and techniques for effectively filling while a speech structure is formulated. Over the seven week program all participants develop the skill of thinking ahead while speaking, which is an invaluable skill for public speakers.
Educational: Selecting a Topic. Discussion on selecting a topic best suited to developing specific skills.
SESSION 2
Educational: Speaking with Conviction. The workshop covers techniques for projecting sincerity and earnestness, looking authoritative and involving the audience.
Educational: Introducing Speakers.
SESSION 3
Educational: Speech Organization and Structure. Topics covered include planning a speech, identifying an effective structure, adjusting material to suit the audience and techniques to highlight the main message.
SESSION 4
Educational: Evaluation of Speeches. Techniques for identifying and highlighting speakers' skills are covered as well as techniques for giving constructive recommendations in a sensitive way. The Commend-Recommend-Commend technique is highlighted.
Educational: Body Language. Topics covered include looking positive and eliminating distracting movements, highlighting a message with appropriate gestures, the importance of eye contact and communicating with facial expressions.
SESSION 5
Educational: The Voice and Vocal Variety. Techniques for making the voice sound pleasant and project well are covered as well as the use of vocal variety to add impact, varying volume, pitch, rate and quality of voice.
SESSION 6
Educational: Working with Words. Topics covered include the power of short words, avoiding jargon, using vivid words, writing for the ear not the eye and the use of rhetorical devices.
Educational: Using microphones effectively.
SESSION 7
Educational: Use of Props. Two educationals are given, the general use of props and a specialized educational on the effective use of PowerPoint.
|
