More than ever before young people need strong face to face communication skills. These are tangible, practical real skills that young people who complete a Speakeze course will continue to use for the rest of their lives. At the heart of Speakeze is the belief in ethical, morally based truthful face to face communication with all our fellow human beings. Speakeze encourages young people. It celebrates each individual young person’s speaking style. They may be shy, funny, dry or boisterous – each has their own voice. Speakeze hones these natural skills and aims for positive self-esteem building experiences at all times for each young person. Speakeze loves the mind of young people – their untarnished visions of the world and solutions to issues. Speakeze provides a safe positive communication environment for young people to share their ideas and opinions and be heard by all. Speakeze believes that the best way to learn is to have fun while learning. The class is practical students are on their feet, in front of their peers, speaking through a microphone and being filmed. The assessment tool is each young person themselves. The video recording of their presentation and played back to them as a principle tool of the teaching.
Background to Why
The science is in. Text messages to us, produce a dopamine chemical – that rush of happiness and contentment is thanks to dopamine. It’s a neurochemical known as the “reward molecule” which is released into the brain. Dopamine is the same chemical good feeling that humans get when they drink alcohol, gamble or take drugs. The problem is the chemical continues to be released and is highly addictive, stimulating us to use what gives us the chemical feel good feeling – again and again. We have age restrictions for all these other things – but none for mobile devices and social media. Over the past 30 years since mobile devices and the growth of the internet and thus social media, there has been a recognised decrease in impromptu verbal communication with strangers and even our best friends, with the preference often now for texting.
A majority of 30 year olds now have lived their entire life and not known a life without a mobile phone and social media. It is a changed world. Speakeze has demand for classes to teach teenagers how to shake hands and introduce themselves. Our society is now in need of teaching ethical, morally based communication skills to young people. Speakeze creates a safe, open environment for young people to express their ideas, opinions and exploration of subjects that are relevant to them. Together they discuss ideas. Speakeze communication coaches merely act as facilitators, empowers of young people. The class is 90 % practical. Students through practical learning are taught how to structure a speech; the importance of a good introduction and conclusion; eye contact and the use of the main tool in their toolbox – that of the voice and its ability for pitch, pace, pause, volume and emphasis.
Public Speaking is a science with tricks of the trade, that, once mastered give every person the confidence and practical skills of public speaking. These practical skills are used every day whether speaking one on one to a person, with a group, for an interview or a presentation to a large crowd.