Well friends, I know I had disappeared for a while…Well it was done with a good intention. As we all know, “Action speaks louder than words”. That’s exactly what I was up to. Speaking about the importance of public speaking on a blog would not actually help the students out there…so I decided to go out there and make it happen.
This is only a drop in the ocean, Al Diyafah High School in Dubai is going to start their very own Gavel club (Toastmaster's youth wing), 40 students have signed up for this program. Well, to be very honest 40 lives are going to change as they embark on this exciting journey with Toastmasters. An experience that will help improve not only their communication skills but also their leadership skills.
I totally appreciate the support provided by the management of the school, they believe in providing a holistic education to their students, and this cannot be complete without communication skills.
So speaking about options available to students and young adults, I would vouch for the Toastmaster’s program which is a tried and tested program. An extremely cost effective way to improve speaking and leadership skills. Toastmasters is a non profit organisation that aims in making effective communication a worldwide reality
I will be speaking to the management of many more schools in the months to come…..
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
All it takes is a few minutes ....
This is a message I had shared with the parents of the YLP participants:
Effective communication is a skill we need to practice and live with. I would like to take this opportunity to request all parents to spend some time with the kids each day helping them develop their speaking skills within the comforts of your own home.
Try to give your child a topic each day - where the child is allowed to express freely his/her views, ideas, suggestions about the topic. An open discussion for as less as 5 to 10 minutes each day will go a long way in helping them emerge confident, with the ability to express their thoughts logically and confidently.
At the end of the day the parents are the best guide and mentor a child can have, if you disagree with their statements or viewpoint, do not criticise them or discourage them when they are speaking, let them speak their mind. On a later occasion, you could call them aside and discuss the topic in detail, and help them understand why you differ in your thoughts, based on your family values and religious viewpoints you want to instill in them.
Allowing the child to communicate freely with you, helps strengthen your bond, encourages the child to speak to you with no inhibitions, and an opportunity for you to guide them, rather than letting them look for advice and guidance elsewhere.
All it takes to make them effective communicators is a little bit of motivation, guidance and a few minutes of your time.
Effective communication is a skill we need to practice and live with. I would like to take this opportunity to request all parents to spend some time with the kids each day helping them develop their speaking skills within the comforts of your own home.
Try to give your child a topic each day - where the child is allowed to express freely his/her views, ideas, suggestions about the topic. An open discussion for as less as 5 to 10 minutes each day will go a long way in helping them emerge confident, with the ability to express their thoughts logically and confidently.
At the end of the day the parents are the best guide and mentor a child can have, if you disagree with their statements or viewpoint, do not criticise them or discourage them when they are speaking, let them speak their mind. On a later occasion, you could call them aside and discuss the topic in detail, and help them understand why you differ in your thoughts, based on your family values and religious viewpoints you want to instill in them.
Allowing the child to communicate freely with you, helps strengthen your bond, encourages the child to speak to you with no inhibitions, and an opportunity for you to guide them, rather than letting them look for advice and guidance elsewhere.
All it takes to make them effective communicators is a little bit of motivation, guidance and a few minutes of your time.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Why schools and universities?
Well! That's where it all began for me.
I was 12 years old when I attended a Public Speaking course that was held in my school - Little Angels High School - Mumbai. This program was initiated by our school Principal Mrs. Varghese (she happened to be my aunt as well).
We had no idea when we enrolled for this program that it would touch and change our lives forever. I remember walking to the stage on the 1st day to introduce myself, with butterflies in my tummy, and feet that felt wobbly as jelly. I could barely speak. The sight of the audience petrified me.
All it took was 3 months... YES…just 3 months to transform me from a shy, hesitant, nervous child to a self confident, bold and daring individual.
If 3 months could make a lasting difference for me, I am sure an exposure to Public Speaking as part of the school’s curriculum would make a lasting difference in the lives of many youngsters.
I was 12 years old when I attended a Public Speaking course that was held in my school - Little Angels High School - Mumbai. This program was initiated by our school Principal Mrs. Varghese (she happened to be my aunt as well).
We had no idea when we enrolled for this program that it would touch and change our lives forever. I remember walking to the stage on the 1st day to introduce myself, with butterflies in my tummy, and feet that felt wobbly as jelly. I could barely speak. The sight of the audience petrified me.
All it took was 3 months... YES…just 3 months to transform me from a shy, hesitant, nervous child to a self confident, bold and daring individual.
If 3 months could make a lasting difference for me, I am sure an exposure to Public Speaking as part of the school’s curriculum would make a lasting difference in the lives of many youngsters.
It all begins with a dream...a vision
“Speaking confidently” is a dream I would like to share with the youth of today. I want to spread the message of effective communication to schools and universities. Help them become confident citizens of tomorrow and I am going to go that extra mile to make this dream become a reality.
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