Kids Public Speaking Workshop at Johan Speaking Academy
During the recent school holidays, I decided to send Josiah for a 1.5 days public speaking workshop to build his confidence on stage. For those that know him, he’s a bubbly talkative boy, but once you put him in front of a bunch of people, he will get cold feet. I have myself to blame as I think he got it from me, I have stage fright since I was young. Therefore, I wish he can get more training in this area so sending him to this workshop would be perfect. Initially, when I told him about it, he didn’t want to go, but let’s see what happened after going ya. The workshop was held in the morning from 9.30am – 3.30am on the first day, and only 9.30am – 12.30pm on the next day. For the workshop, we sent him to Johan Speaking Academy TTDI branch, where Johan Ooi the founder himself was there to teach the kids.
For shy kids, it would be great to register them together with friends. Josiah had a few kid blogger friends in the class like Sean and Joey and he immediately felt at ease being there. The kids had to go on stage to do a self introduction immediately, that really gave him a good experience and feel of speaking in front in a non threatening environment.
Each class was not that big so it was great to allow some one on one time with the kids and teacher and for the kids to get to know each other well. Kids being kids, it was definitely not hard for them to make new friends!
Although it was just a short workshop, it was quite a breakthrough experience for Josiah as he had to learn and present a short story by the second day in front of all the parents. Of course, he was super nervous and even tried to negotiate with me not to go, but I managed to assure him it was all just for experience sake. I guess this kind of thing just make you get better as you go through it each time. During the workshop, they basically learned about body language, breathing, intonation, vocal etc. They also had game sessions to make the learning more relaxed and fun.
Even though Josiah had stage fright and stuff, going through this workshop really helped him gain some confidence and experience speaking on stage and he managed to battle his fears and finally did it and earned his cert from Johan Speaking Academy.
Of course, 1.5 days is never enough to create a good public speaker, it is only the tip of the ice-berg. Therefore, Johan actually has a 10 weeks program for kids and 8 weeks program for teens. Next intake will be in middle of September. Places are always limited so it’s best to sign up early. For me, I think public speaking is like the very basic and important skill for any kind of career, I just wish we have such schools when we were young, I should have attended then! Inability to speak well in public had placed so much limitations to my career all the years. Last year 2015, Johan Speaking Academy, bring the kids for an outdoor experience in Kids Public Speaking during the 10 weeks program. It’s not just indoor experience but also outdoor experience. Their activities as follows :
1. July – Popular Bookfair at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
2. August – Kids Public Speaking Expo at Women’s institute of Management
3. September – Kids Fair at Mid Valley – Mid Autumn Festival at Mid Point Shopping in Cheras
4. October – Brand Ambassador at Sunway Lagoon
5. November – One Book Fair at Jaya Shopping Mall
6. December – Musical Festival at Gardens Theatre – Christmas at Jungle Gym Atria
This is a REAL-LIFE experience for them because communication skills and public speaking skills are very important for their personal development as well as a great toll for them to advance in their career. The 10 weeks student will have the opportunity to speak at a a shopping mall or any retail outlet. The program is for kids age 7-12 years old. The 8 weeks teens speaking program (Age 12 to 15 years old) will be on every Sunday from 4pm to 6pm at TTDI.
Johan Ooi is the trainer and founder or Johan Speaking Academy and he has an impressive list of achievements when it comes to public speaking. Johan is a member of Toastmasters International in District 51, Damansara Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club. Johan and participated in various local and international speech contests since young and has a few titles under his belt. Johan’s greatest achievement is representing Peninsula Malaysia to the World Championship Of Public Speaking in Las Vegas,USA in Aug 2015. Johan has spoken on stage as a guest speaker for Maxis and P1, two reputable telecommunications company in Malaysia on the topic of social media. He has travelled extensively within Malaysia as the Speaker for their SME events where more than 200 business owners attended each time. He is frequently invited to speak in many small and large corporations nationwide. It is such a great privilege for the children to learn from him and for him to love imparting his skills and knowledge through these training sessions to the next generation.
Co-founder Cherry Ho is literally the cherry on top of the icing. Johan Speaking Academy also offers workshops and classes in Mandarin and that’s where Cherry’s strong point comes in. Cherry is also a member of Toastmasters International in District 51, Damansara Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club. Cherry is the true brainchild of Kids Public Speaking program which was birthed over a cup of coffee, didn’t I tell you coffee is great for the brain? Anyways, she trains in English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia for Kids Public Speaking program. She is not just sweet in looks and attitude but her patience and joyful personality really put the kids at ease. Cherry’s breakthrough came when she was the emcee for Chinese Society Event where 600 people attended, her largest crowd thus far.
A big congratulations to all the kids for an awesome job well done.
For more info about Johan Speaking Academy, click way to:
www.facebook.com/KidsPublicSpeaking
www.YouTube.com/KidsPublicSpeaking
www.KidsPublicSpeaking.com
Email: KidsPublicSpeaking@gmail.com
Johan Speaking Academy
92B, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,
60000 Kuala Lumpur. (just 5 min drive away from One Utama Shopping Mall).
23 Comments
roseliew
Interesting. A public speaking workshop for kids. I would love to send my kids to such if there is any over here.
My eldest used to have stage fright when she was smaller but now she is doing alright. She managed to conquer her fear. Haha. Got the stage fright genes from me I guess. A shy person.
http://kuchingnite.blogspot.com
DSvT
Public speaking is important at current world, business world. Beside to have the right way to speak, it developed courage to talks with people, in front people.
Got to plan for my boy…
Cheryn Tan
It’s always good to start young.
I was fortunate to have this training as my dad loved to put me in front of everyone to announce something or sing for a special occasion. So I know the importance of having the confidence to speak to a crowd.
Good job
imwernling
Even until now, I still wouldn’t be able to speak confidently in front of a crowd! It’s good to have started young.
Ortolana Clare
I remember when I had to participate in public speaking. It was so scary so a workshop is definitely great.
Jacqueline Khoo
Seriously i kinda scare of public speaking, never make through since primary school! So proud of these kids! Awesome job done 😉
Bella Enveeus
Wow this is really good. Let the kids start from young, overcoming their fear of being in the spotlight coz most kids are born introverts unless nurtured from young for activities like this.
Joyce Rachel Lee-Bates (joycescapade)
I agree with sending kids to public speaking workshop like this. Definitely a good start to groom them to be future CEOs. When they are working, make sure they join Toastmasters. 🙂
Everest
That is such an important life skill to possess! I’m sure your kids will see the benefits of this workshop in many years to come.
A great investment.
much love,
Everest
http://www.everestsays.com
Miera Nadhirah
Sounds interesting and kids who join this workshop are definitely much more outspoken and confident….
choogengqian
sounds really interesting! i wished my parents sent me there when I was little!
Jane
It is good to start our kids young on public speaking. My children love the course too.
Amelie Yap
It was a good way in encouraging kids to take part in all sort of competition, instead of fighting hard to win, but gaining some experiences and overcoming the fears of being coward, especially speaking in front of the public. It was an interesting competition!
Betty Liew siaw fan
This is a good workshop to encourage children to be brave for public speaking. No everyone dare enough to stand in front crowds and perform. This workshop is useful.
Arisa
Now to test your kid by trying to participate in public speaking contests! That would help him boost his skills further. During my time my mom couldn’t afford to send me for classes so I learn through trials and errors from competitions
Miriam
Definitely great to send children to workshops like this to build their confidence to speak in public. I myself was pretty much an introvert when I was younger and never had the guts to actually speak up.
Baz The Wanderlust
I wish my parent would have sent me for public speaking when I was a kid, it really build up confident in kids!
Shubhada
So nice! We need more of such workshops to ensure kids can express themselves properly. Helps them to gain confidence.
Pooja Kawatra Gupta
It will be really helpful for kids to express themselves and speak in front of public.
Sunshine Kelly
This is a very good workshop for kids to sharpen their language and most important is to built self confidence in front of audience.
Rodger
Public speaking reminds me of myself during my young age. I am very afraid to talk, what’s more in public. Always wanted to try joining some public speaking group but fear stopped me from doing so. Today, I have some regret for not taking that one important step.
Ivy Kam
It’s good to train from young, I have stage fright also, took me long time to overcome the problem >.<
Rawlins GLAM
I wish I went to public speaking workshop too when I was younger.
Kids with great public speaking skills will grow up intelligent.
Good for you for sending your kids.