Name of guest speaker: Alan Devine
Organisation: Public speaking workshop
Date: 5th and 13th of October.
What was discussed: We started the workshop first thing in the morning. Alan began talking to us about first impressions. He showed us how to walk on stage confidently and how to stand and engage with the audience. He said to be good at public speaking you need a lot of energy and a good attitude. We practiced going up one by one with a confident walk and posture. We then had to say a joke given to us by Alan to the class.
We practiced speaking louder and getting comfortable with our class with various exercises. In one such exercise, we had to remember a rhyme along with movements. We used these in a knock out game to see who could do it without getting mixed up.
He showed us how to engage with the audience with hand gestures and eye contact. We practiced this by going up in front of the class and looking at people for three seconds. As it went on it got harder as some people had to copy hand gestures while keeping eye contact and answering questions Alan asked them.
Alan then told us the news that we have to write, learn and present a speech to our class the following Friday. He gave us examples to speak about and told some stories about past speeches he heard from different schools.
The final game we played was when Alan gave us a word we had to describe in front of the class without saying the word itself. We had to use all the skills Alan taught us throughout the day. Before we left he gave us a hand out about what to write about and how to write it for our up and coming speech.
On Friday the 13th, we went into room V where we were going to our speeches. I was nervous at first but when I went up and did it, it wasn't that bad after all. I spoke about scoliosis and what my experiences was with it.
Reflection: From this workshop, I learned how first impressions are so important and I learned how to stand up confidently. I also learned how to engage with the audience and use hand gestures effectively.
I took a lot from this workshop, I'm now not that afraid of speaking in public as I did it and found out there was nothing to be too afraid of. I still need to practice it though. I also will take on the advice on how to make a good first impression.
Organisation: Public speaking workshop
Date: 5th and 13th of October.
What was discussed: We started the workshop first thing in the morning. Alan began talking to us about first impressions. He showed us how to walk on stage confidently and how to stand and engage with the audience. He said to be good at public speaking you need a lot of energy and a good attitude. We practiced going up one by one with a confident walk and posture. We then had to say a joke given to us by Alan to the class.
We practiced speaking louder and getting comfortable with our class with various exercises. In one such exercise, we had to remember a rhyme along with movements. We used these in a knock out game to see who could do it without getting mixed up.
He showed us how to engage with the audience with hand gestures and eye contact. We practiced this by going up in front of the class and looking at people for three seconds. As it went on it got harder as some people had to copy hand gestures while keeping eye contact and answering questions Alan asked them.
Alan then told us the news that we have to write, learn and present a speech to our class the following Friday. He gave us examples to speak about and told some stories about past speeches he heard from different schools.
The final game we played was when Alan gave us a word we had to describe in front of the class without saying the word itself. We had to use all the skills Alan taught us throughout the day. Before we left he gave us a hand out about what to write about and how to write it for our up and coming speech.
On Friday the 13th, we went into room V where we were going to our speeches. I was nervous at first but when I went up and did it, it wasn't that bad after all. I spoke about scoliosis and what my experiences was with it.
Reflection: From this workshop, I learned how first impressions are so important and I learned how to stand up confidently. I also learned how to engage with the audience and use hand gestures effectively.
I took a lot from this workshop, I'm now not that afraid of speaking in public as I did it and found out there was nothing to be too afraid of. I still need to practice it though. I also will take on the advice on how to make a good first impression.