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I was thinking about when I was younger, and how Public Speaking skills would have helped me navigate the school system more easily. I was in year 4, 5 maybe and I was getting unwanted attention from a boy in my school. I was very aware that I didn't have the capability to articulate not only my disgust at his language, but how to articulate to someone like a teacher or a grown up what was happening.
I think that there is a disconnect - especially since Covid - of how we as a species articulate (IN PERSON) how we feel. Online is awesome obviously - but in person communication has really suffered, especially in those students in their formative years.
We need to give students more opportunities to speak and be spoken to - to listen and to feel those nerves when speaking in public.
What do you think?
As former president for 3 years of my Toastmasters Club in South Africa, I became involved in numerous Youth Leadership programmes at schools where I saw many students grow in their confidence and ability to communicate. It was remarkable and it is something I dream of recreating in the UK.