Speaking and Presenting
Curriculum
Two training courses, as
well as private coaching, are offered here. The focus is on building
skills in (1) organization (preparing material geared especially to the
audience with clear points and with strong introductions and
endings), (2) delivery (speaking with control over one’s body and non-verbal
cues, including voice, facial expression, upper body carriage, eye
contact, hands, posture, and legs), and (3) use of visuals (using visual aids
that support the talk, are immediately understandable, and are smoothly
coordinated with the physical delivery).
The Basic Course
Speaking and Presenting Effectively: is
for those individuals who have had only moderate experience in public speaking
or business communication, or for those who may have particular concerns (e.g.,
language or accent concerns, nervousness, and issues with nervous habits or
voice and body control). The course generally runs two days in length; it is
possible, however, to conduct the course in half-day modules, or in one day
segments, with one or two week intervals in between. Because the emphasis is on
individual attention, a maximum class size of seven is recommended.
\The More Advanced Course
Advanced Speaking and Presenting: is for
individuals who have had significant speaking experience and/or prior relevant
training, and who currently have fairly strong skills. The course moves
faster than the basic course, and in addition to work refining organizational
and delivery skills, is focused on developing another skill: that of dealing
with questions and difficult situations. Exercises in the course
replicate the stress speakers are under in a question and response situation,
and the emphasis is on coordinating the physical control demands with
formulating an appropriate answer. Ideal class maximum here is five.
Both courses involve videotaping and
extensive feedback. Each participant leaves the course with his/her personal
speaking strategy that will work in all future speaking challenges.
Private Coaching: Private
individual coaching is also available to develop speaking and presenting skills. Individual
coaching is for those whose time commitments make classroom attendance impossible, who need to prepare
for a specific major presentation, who wish to build on progress previously
made in formal training, or where specific concerns make a totally
individualized focus in a private setting more appropriate.