Public speaking and homeschooling: it’s hard to imagine these two together, isn’t it? If you don’t belong to a co-op or homeschool hybrid where a public speaking class is offered, you might struggle to give your children this very important skill.
Enter Introduction to Public Speaking by Institute for Excellence in Writing!
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Homeschooling has never been easier thanks to complete curriculum units like this one. Parents have everything they need at their fingertips, even if they have never given a public speech in their life! Streaming lessons, a student packet, and the Teacher’s Manual make teaching public speaking in your home a painless experience.
But before I explain the details of this new curriculum, I want to answer a question that’s probably foremost in your mind right now: “Will this work if I just have one student at home?”
The answer is YES.
This curriculum is designed for all manner of homeschoolers: the large family, the friend group, and even the only child. Lessons include watching video speeches by IEW students, practicing in front of a video camera, and self-evaluation. So even if you’re teaching one child at home, this curriculum works!
The Review
Let me just remind my readers that I love Institute for Excellence in Writing Curriculum! We regularly use Fix-It! Grammar and Structure and Style for Students (along with themed writing lessons). So when I was offered the opportunity to review this new public speaking program, I agreed!
If you’re familiar with Structure and Style for Students (or its predecessor, Teaching Students with Structure and Style) you may remember that the keyword outline that is used for writing papers can also be used for preparing a speech. And that’s where Introduction to Public Speaking starts. It’s a natural progression for IEW users.
But if you’re new to IEW, I believe you will quickly fall in love with this homeschool public speaking curriculum.
Andrew Pudewa, the creator of IEW, stars in the 12 streaming video lessons. He is a favorite with students because of his friendly manner and his humor. In addition, there is a Teacher’s Manual, a complete Student Packet, Student Binder, and Portable Walls for the Public Speaker. Twelve lessons make this an easy course to complete in one semester or as a summer learning opportunity.
As a public speaker myself, I was excited to add some of the techniques in this program to my own presentations. There are many valuable lessons included that apply to all ages and all walks of life.
The Curriculum
In Lesson 1, students begin by creating a key word outline, a signature of IEW. This is the springboard for creating written papers and speeches. Once the first outline is created, they will learn memory and delivery techniques.
In Lesson 2, your child learns to evaluate a speech while viewing multiple video speeches by students their age. They will then learn the basic structure of a speech. Critique pages are included for evaluating speeches in the streaming lessons.
The remainder of the course takes students through the creation of a complete speech, as well as learning to write and deliver multiple types of presentations: narrative, expository, persuasive, and impromptu. The Student Packet is complete with outline notes, speech templates, and memorization samples.
Portable Walls are a useful “cheat sheet” folder that recaps what students have learned in the course and can be used repeatedly for preparing presentations.
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to learn memory techniques for delivering a smooth oration, as well as hints for avoiding common repetitive words like “uh” and “like.” Also included in each lesson is a short list of vocabulary words. Your student will learn presentation concepts like poise, locution, posture, tone, projection, and more.
In my opinion, Introduction to Public Speaking is a really neat blend of Structure and Style for Students (writing curriculum) and verbal presentations.
Listen to this episode of the Arts of Language Podcast by IEW to hear Andrew Pudewa discuss this new public speaking curriculum. It includes some entertaining samples of speeches from the program!
Who is it for?
I believe public speaking is a valuable course for every single teenaged student. It builds confidence and gives teens the ability to think critically. Of course, as Andrew Pudewa points out, the fear of public speaking is up there with the fear of dying! Why not help your kids overcome this fear by giving them the tools to speak boldly?
No matter what their future holds, your children will be well served by knowing how to think on their feet and speak encouragement. Who knows when and how often your son or daughter will be called upon to share great ideas, their faith, or encouragement?
“If you can speak and write well, then you will rise up in positions of responsibility and influence and will be able to make a greater contribution.” – Andrew Pudewa
Try it for free and enter to win!
This course is available with DVD or streaming, complete with all printed materials, for $99. Click below to order:
IEW is offering free sample lessons. You’ll quickly learn how valuable this curriculum is with the included free lessons.
My readers also have a chance to win a free copy of Introduction to Public Speaking! Just go to my personal IEW page to enter.
As you choose curriculum for your teens for the upcoming school year, I hope you will consider adding IEW’s Public Speaking Course to your schedule!
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