LETs Stand Public Speaking

About LETs Stand Public Speaking

LETs Stand Public Speaking podcast - ‘Speaking up about Speaking out’ will give voice to the public speaking potential of young people. Stories will be shared about the importance of these skills, life events that require competent speaking skills and how our young people can be taught these skills, skills for life, in a structured, explicit and meaningful way. These are skills that affect us all for better or worse throughout our lives. In the course of these podcasts, you will be informed, entertained and maybe even inspired to speak up and share your story.

Publisher

Siobhan Fitzgerald

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Feb 2021

Latest episode

17 Sept 2024

Latest episodes

36 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Sept 2024

   Debating in Primary School

   “Sixth class pupils from a Westmeath school have scooped Ireland’s top prize for school debating after winning the Concern Primary Debates final”…… ”They won after successfully proposing the motion that ‘schools are the key to ending world poverty.’” The perfect way to hear and learn about the experience of Debating in Primary School! What a joy and revelation it was to hear from the All Island of Ireland winners of the Concern Primary School Debates 2024. Debaters Matthew, Charlie and Edward of Emper National School, County Westmeath joined me together with their mentor and School Principal, Kathryn and teacher / parent Sarah for this insightful chat. It’s said that ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ or as the chief judge said on the night of the final debate: “when you take the team out of teamwork, it’s just work”. It’s clear from the conversation you will hear that this was definitely a ‘team’ and collaborative effort. Out of 250 primary schools from across the island of Ireland that started the Concern Debates journey, and after winning 8 debates, Emper NS in Co. Westmeath made it through to the National finals which they won. In this conversation we hear through the experience of the team from Emper NS, about the positives and challenges of debating, and how debating can impact the transition to secondary school and life beyond school. We also get some invaluable tips and practical strategies for managing nerves and building confidence. The team talks us through the process of preparing for the debates step-by-step and assure us that the process is as important, if not more important than the product / outcome. We hear about the many great lessons learned from the perspectives of the students, a parent, the teacher and the school principal and debating team mentor. Concern debates has been running for 35 years. The Concern Primary Debates are run in conjunction with Education Support Centres across Ireland, it’s run both online and in person and is open to senior primary classes. How will students benefit? Students will have the opportunity to: Learn to speak in public and in front of their peers Develop cognitive and language abilities, as well as skills in research and debating Develop critical thinking and communication skills Gain a deeper understanding of the global issues affecting millions of people Use their voice to raise awareness of SDGs Develop empathy to consider other views Receive a certificate of participation You can access free downloadable resources from the Concern Debates website to get your class started. Why not take a look for yourself: https://www.concern.net/schools-and-youth/debates/primary-school It was inspiring and such a privilege to speak with Matthew, Charlie, Edward, Kathryn and Sarah today, on a bright Sunday morning when they could have been outside or elsewhere. I hope their insights and experience will inspire you to consider looking into debating, in-school or inter-school with your students. As Kathryn, Sarah, Matthew, Charlie and Edward from Emper NS have shown us, it’s all about the team. Lots of learning and fun experienced along the way too. ………………………………….……………………………………………….. Motions debated along the way: Homework should be a thing of the past All children in Ireland should have the right to a local playground Getting rid of plastic pollution in our oceans is just a dream Electric cars are the best way for countries to reduce their emissions Sport always brings communities together The business sector has the most important role in achieving the SDGs in Ireland All Island Knockout Round Motion: Climate activists must give up eating meat All Island Quarter Final Motion: Young people in Ireland are indifferent to the Global South

2. 

   17 Sept 2024

   A Legacy of Leadership. A conversation with Ted Corcoran.

   “What will be your legacy”? Ted Corcoran, a leading management consultant based in Dublin, Ireland has been the only Irish and the first European International President of Toastmasters International (2003-2004) since the organisation was founded in 1924. Toastmasters International is a US-headquartered non-profit educational organization operating clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership skills. Currently with over 350,000 members, in 145 countries, Toastmasters is the most efficient, supportive, enjoyable, and affordable way of gaining great communication and leadership skills with the tagline: “Where leaders are made”. When it comes to leadership, Ted most certainly ‘walks the talk’. Having led his own district to President’s Distinguished District status, finishing second in the world in achievement in 1994/1995, as International President of Toastmasters, Ted oversaw the continued growth of Toastmaster clubs across the world. Ted has delivered many training courses, presentations and seminars around the world, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and in countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Ted is also a member of the Rotary Club, Dublin, since 1991, serving as club president in 2001/02. With a willingness to always listen, observe and consider, Ted has devoted his life to encouraging and supporting others to see and realize the potential in themselves and their teams. He is also the author of three books: “The Leadership Bus” published 1998 and which is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leadership-Bus-Effective-Successful-Leader/dp/1438901232 “Hiring a Car and Walking After It” published 2019 and available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hiring-car-walking-after-lessons/dp/1946195413 His most recent book, “A Comprehensive History of Toastmasters in Great Britain and Ireland,” was launched in September, 2022 and can be sourced by contacting Eileen O’Neill at eileen5067@gmail.com In this episode, Ted shares with us stories from his childhood growing up in County Kerry in Ireland, his school days and how and where he began to practise his own leadership skills. Recounting some of his experiences as the only Irish International President of Toastmasters International, Ted comments on the importance of empathy, relationships, a sense of humour and teamwork reminding us of the Japanese proverb that “no one is as smart as all of us”. His trilogy of advice is particularly empowering: “1. Always say ‘yes’ to opportunity, 2. Never be afraid to ask for advice and 3. Always believe you’re as good as everyone else”. You can find out more about today’s guest, Ted Corcoran at these links: https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2022/sept/the-irish-oracle https://tedcorcoran.ie/ If you’d like to find out more about Toastmasters International and find a club close to you, you can do so through this link: https://www.toastmasters.org/ Guests are always most welcome.

3. 

   24 Sept 2022

   Teachers really matter: Connection before Content. A conversation with Jukka

   “Students do not care how much you know until they know how much you care” (John C Maxwell). In this episode, Jukka Sinnemäki (PhD.), recipient of the 2019 Global Teacher Award, quotes John C Maxwell as he shares with us his experience, observations and findings that ”it is not what is poured into the students but what is planted that counts”. Jukka, from Finland, is an award-winning teacher, education thought leader and TEDx Speaker. In this episode, Jukka challenges us to rethink some practices and habits we may be taking for granted in our classrooms encouraging us to “stop often enough to be able to see the unseen” in our students. He emphasises the profound impact and influence of teachers as we help, support and encourage young people to realize their full potential. Inspired himself by a teacher who went an “extra mile” in his youth, Jukka believes that positive transformation in schools is possible even in a very short period of time explaining how relationships and wellbeing are at the very core of positive transformation. His child-centred approach to teaching and learning not only increases his students’ wellbeing, but also their learning results and motivation, proving that “success is a by-product of wellbeing”. Throughout his career in education, Jukka has continuously engaged in research, investigating important questions as they arise while trialling and exploring various innovative pedagogies. In his teaching, Jukka strives to make visible the development which he says is not usually seen in the report cards. Jukka’s unique, student-centred approach to co-designing and co-constructing the classroom environment with his students is a striking example of student voice and agency in action. You might see hammocks and bean bags in Jukka’s class for relaxation and reading as well as treadmills and other PE equipment and various technological devices, all with a particular purpose, all carefully chosen by the students and all contributing to the balanced, holistic development of the children and promoting their holistic wellbeing. Constantly trying to achieve balance between activity, stimulation and calm, quiet, presence, if it is evaluated that something is not benefiting learning and development, then a decision is made to take it away. In this episode, Jukka also reminds us of the importance of the 21st Century skills of communication and collaboration with those around us and across the globe for a sustainable future. In real, visible ways, Jukka shows value for students’ imagination, creativity, ideas and thoughts. “When students first enter our classrooms, what do they see, what do they feel?” Jukka asks. He gently encourages us to reflect and consider: How do we support students to become aware of their own uniqueness, dignity and intrinsic value as human beings? How do we connect with our students when we first meet? Can we listen before we teach? Can we see the unseen? When we, as teachers, come into the class, what comes in with us? Humbly hoping that he can make an impact as a “positive changemaker”, Jukka’s everyday teaching practices clearly embody the changemaker pillars of creativity, empathy, leadership and teamwork and more. Jukka reminds us that building a deeper connection with our students matters and advises that “Learning happens when you see the unseen in every child”. You can find out more about and get in contact with Jukka through the following contact details and links: jukka.sinnemaki@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/jukka-sinnemäki-9045a922/ https://twitter.com/JukkaSinnemaki https://www.facebook.com/jukka.sinnemaki?ref=bookmarks http://knownow.fi/en/. You can view some of Jukka’s inspiring, thought provoking videos at the following links: TEDx – Stop Often enough to be able to see the unseen. Tedx - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6xVGkHjh6s&t=39s Jukka Sinnemäki teaching philosophy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTyFbwzuwxo&t=22s.

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