Grades 9+ Public Speaking

We offer 34-lesson courses at the 4-5, 6-8, and 9+ levels during the regular school year (September to June).

Fall/Winter 2022-23 Schedule

We also offer 4-lesson workshops in the 4-5, 6-8, and 9+ levels in the Winter and the Summer sessions.

Our Public Speaking programs for Grades 4-5, 6-8, and 9+ are a response to students’ need for mastering the techniques of public speaking and persuasion, in both oral and written formats.

The course has a strong emphasis on the elements of oral presentation (e.g. tone of voice, body language, playing to an audience, rhetorical strategies, etc.), and it provides opportunities for students to apply and practice what they learn.

Depending on the level of their studies, students will engage in classical debate, study logical reasoning and fallacies, be inspired by critical analyses of famous historical speeches, media, and politics, and prepare for both post-secondary education and myriad careers which require excellent people-skills.

This course will provide you with the skills to:

• Develop your resume and prepare for your future career
• Position yourself for University and Ivy League school acceptance
• Work towards obtaining awards and accolades
• Become a global citizen by (optional) competing in tournaments locally, nationally, and around the world

Depending on the level of your studies, you will have the opportunity to learn about:

• Presentation skills and public speaking
• Interview skills mastery
• Logic and the art of argument
• Negotiation strategies
• Famous speeches and historical analysis
• Classical and contemporary debate – history, philosophy, and practical applications
• Journalism, news, radio/broadcasting and media studies
• Rhetoric, logic and logical fallacies, discourse analysis and linguistics
• Language and the law
• Language and politics
• Speechwriting, Figures of Speech, and Voice Coaching
• Laws of Persuasive Power
• Philosophies of Great Thinkers
• Ethics and Social Justice – being persuasive and changing the world!

Practical components may include opportunities to:

• Attend formal public city debates
• Participate in local debate and public speaking competitions
• Professionally record student-written speeches at a recording studio (professional voice coaching included)
• Take part in CBC audience debates and radio shows (e.g. The Debaters, Stuart McLean)

Guest speakers will also provide valuable knowledge (e.g. lawyers, performance poets).

Classes will be held once a week for two hours.

A LETTER FROM ONE OF OUR PUBLIC SPEAKING STUDENTS

Cora and Stephen Harper at the FSWC State of the Union

Dear Karine,

I can’t believe I was invited by the Friends of the Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) to speak at their exclusive State of the Union dinner thanks to my big win (with your support) at Speakers Idol earlier this year! I edited the speech that you helped me with slightly before going tonight. (I did this to be more relevant to recent events and to have a more mature tone). I am happy to announce that my speech was met with a standing ovation. I wanted to thank you once again for having me in your incredible Public Speaking course, encouraging me to participate in Speakers Idol, and helping me refine my speech for every occasion. Without you none of this would have happened and I just wanted to express my gratitude. My public speaking skills are at a whole new level now thanks to you and Brain Power!

Sincerely,

Cora Usurelu