Review – Beginning Public Speaking
Beginning Public Speaking
Written by: Teressa Moon
Publisher: Communicators for Christ
For the past several months I have been teaching a public speaking class to about 13 homeschoolers. My guide for conducting the class has been Beginning Public Speaking by Teresa Moon, published by Communicators for Christ. It has been a wonderful resource.
There is a Teacher’s Edition, Student Workpack & DVD which are all available from Communicators for Christ for the price of $99.95. I did not have the DVD’s but used only the Teacher & Student Book and I think you really could just use the Teacher’s Edition and not purchase anything else. The individual books can be purchased through Christian Book Distributors.
The books are aimed at ages 8-12 but I adapted it for use for younger and older students as well since we were a more informal group and wanted to include everyone that wished to participate. It was so cute to watch the little ones get up and practice introductions, impromptu speeches and their delivery skills.
I acutally split the class up. The younger class consisted of children up to the age of 11. While they were giving their speeches the older ones would play a game or go outside. Then when the younger children finished we had the older class come in (ages 12-up) to give their speeches.
The book is laid out for 9 classes. The types of speeches covered are:
Impromptu Speaking Introductions
Reading or Recitation of a short story or poem
Expository Speech
Humorous Interpretation
Impromptu
Extemporaneous
Dramatic/Humorous Interpretation
Persuasive Oratory
The class went in this order: Discussion, Presentations, Activity & Assignment. If you have the DVD’s you can even watch a demonstration of the type of speech that you are assigned for next class. Since I did not have the DVD, I usually just gave the speech myself.
This course was excellent in exposing the children to various types of speeches and teaching them the basics needed in good speech delivery. I would have really liked to purchase the DVD’s but felt the price was much too high but if you were to get several people to go in on it, it would be doable. I highly recommend this course.
