Brandon Learning Centre: British Education - process, preparation and practicalities

I have just finished teaching two more groups at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and (as usual) have been awed and humbled by their determination. If you ever become cynical about the potential of the next generation, I recommend spending a couple of hours at PolyU observing how the students care about each other, their school and community. It is inspiring. The following comments are directed towards my students: You are all talented and driven individuals with the potential to make a real difference to your worlds. Watching you grown in confidence has been a privilege. Remember: everyone speaks with an accent, there is no one "right way" of speaking. Use your unique speaking voice rather than trying to emulate someone else. Plan. Be prepared to change your plans. Adapt, don't panic. Read your audience and try to understand what will engage them. Run through the skills we have learned and apply the ones you feel are most effective. Good luck and be confiden

Whenever I become pessimistic about the future after reading the newspapers I think about my students. I have recently finished teaching a short public speaking class at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) as part of their aim of broadening the academic experience. This year's class had students from Hong Kong, Thailand, Mainland China and Nigeria. Diverse backgrounds but united in their desire to contribute to society and make a difference. Coming to public speaking early is an incredible experience. Watching this class shed their fears and develop public speaking skills was terrific. They also introduced me to an optimistic world view and shared their hope about the future. Whereas the newspapers are full of doom and gloom, this group are confident that they will try their best to make our world a kinder, more equitable place. Their new found presentation skills will help them to communicate and share their vision in the future and I am incredibly proud to have played

If you are a musician, you play scales to warm up you fingers before playing. If you are a sportsman, you stretch before the vital match. If you are an artist, you sharpen your pencils before beginning your masterpiece. So why on earth would you begin a speech before preparing your voice? Find a quiet place and do the following. Step one: shake all the stress out of your body. Don't be shy; as my mother would say as she forced us to try on clothes in Dunne's Stores, "who is going to be looking at you?" Step two: breathe deeply, releasing your stress. Breathe in to the count of five, out to the count os six. Step three: hum to yourself to warm up your mouth and chant to open up your vocal chords. Put your heart into it! There are many more exercises you can do prepares yourself but the key is this; no one can see you and this is your chance to prepare the only instrument you will be using for your speech... your voice. And to finish; thank you to all my stu