They say (Public Speaking is…)” – really? Is it true that…? Here are your public speaking, presentation skills, interview skills FAQs (For Kids) Answered!

Queries about Public Speaking For Kids To Overcome Stage Fright & Build Confidence:

• “My child freezes during school presentations — are there public speaking classes in Singapore that can help shy kids gain confidence?”
• “Are there confidence-building public speaking programs in Singapore for shy kids who struggle to speak up in class?”
• “What are the best public speaking courses in Singapore that help shy children overcome stage fright?”

Answer:

🧠 From Shy to Confident Speakers
At Public Speaking Academy Singapore, we specialize in nurturing shy and soft-spoken children. Through drama-inspired techniques, team activities, and personalized coaching, students gradually overcome stage fright and anxiety. Our modules help kids feel comfortable speaking in front of their classmates — perfect preparation for school presentations and oral exams.

Queries about DSA Interview Tips For Kids:

• “Can public speaking classes really help kids get ready for DSA or scholarship interviews in Singapore?”
• “My teen has a DSA or scholarship interview coming up — are there public speaking courses in Singapore that prepare them for it?”
• “Which public speaking programs in Singapore focus on interview prep for DSA or scholarships?”

Answer:

🎓 DSA & Scholarship Interview Preparation
Our primary and teen public speaking tracks include interview simulations designed specifically for Singapore’s DSA and scholarship pathways. Students learn how to structure answers, showcase leadership potential, and speak confidently under pressure. Sessions are aligned with current MOE expectations and real student experiences. Speech Excellence Program™ & S’Peak Performance Kids Holiday Program™ teach interview skills in one of the 12 monthly modules & 2-day modules respectively, whilst Interview Skills Mastery™ devotes the entire training to interview skills.

Queries about Speech & Drama vs. Public Speaking For Kids:

• “Drama vs. Public Speaking: What’s the real difference for kids in primary or secondary school?”
• “Is drama class the same as a public speaking workshop for kids?”
• “I’m torn between drama and public speaking classes — which is better for building communication skills in kids?”

Answer:

🎭 Drama vs. Public Speaking: What’s the Difference?
While both drama and public speaking boost confidence, our workshops focus on structured communication: eye contact, vocal projection, persuasive delivery, and audience engagement. Drama emphasizes performative elements and character interpretation & acting, while public speaking empowers your child to express real thoughts clearly and effectively in the majority of speech settings whereas dramaticised speech is restricted to mainly theatre stages.

Queries about Good Quality Public Speaking Courses For Kids:

• “Looking for top-rated public speaking classes for kids in Singapore? Here’s what’s available on weekends and weekdays.”
• “What are the best weekday and weekend public speaking programs in Singapore for primary and secondary school kids?”
• “Where can I find highly recommended public speaking workshops in Singapore for school-going children?”

Answer:

⭐ Weekend & Weekdays Confidence Building Classes
Our kids programs for primary & secondary students run every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Taught by professional speakers well-versed in our methodologies and pedagogies, handpicked and personally trained by our founder Darren Tay (2016 World Champion of Public Speaking), our courses and holiday workshops consistently receive 5-star reviews from parents and students. Topics include persuasive speeches, debate, interview prep, and impromptu speaking.

Queries about Public Speaking Courses For Kids That Allow Trying Out First:

• “Are there any trial public speaking classes in Singapore where kids can try before they commit?”
• “Can my child try a public speaking lesson in Singapore before signing up for a full course?”
• “Which kids’ public speaking workshops in Singapore offer free or paid trial sessions?”

Answer:

👨‍👩‍👧 Trial Lessons with No Risk of Guessing If Child is Suitable
Not sure if your child will enjoy it? We offer a discounted trial lesson for students who are new to our training, so that he/ she can have a taste of the learning experience first, and if you & your child find our training meaningful and beneficial, you may then decide whether to enroll (absolutely NO hardselling).

How much does a public speaking course for teens & kids in Singapore costs?

“Should I invest in public speaking training for my child/ children? What is the estimated cost?”

“How long would it take for my child to be trained to become better at public speaking? And how much would that cost?”

“What are the factors I have to consider to find a good public speaking course for teens and children in Singapore?”

In short…

Cost Range: Good quality public speaking classes for teens & kids in Singapore typically cost between $260 – $320 per month (or for every 4 lessons), depending on the age category (lower primary, upper primary, secondary/ teenagers). Parents have to factor in the quality of the curriculum, the pedagogy, and the quality of the trainers (our trainers are all hand-picked and personally trained by our founder, 2016 World Champion of Public Speaking Darren Tay – teaching and speaking expertise and experiences are NOT optional for us).

Payment Plans: We provide different tiers of discount for 3-month plan (10% off), 6-month (15% off), and 12-month (20% off) for our 1-year curriculum, with unique monthly topics that provide our students a holistic development of their presentation and communication skills. No registration fee, material fee and GST. 

Aged 7-8: $260 per 4 lessons

Aged 9-12: $270 per 4 lessons

Aged 13-18: $290 per 4 lessons 

Trial Lesson Provided: Every student has a unique pace of learning and enrols at different starting points when it comes to public speaking abilities. Our trial session will be an actual class that is ongoing, so that trial students will be able to have a taste of the actual learning experience (the training content and pedagogy) of the program should they choose to enrol after the trial. No obligation to enroll after the trial session (absolutely no hard-selling throughout the process), parents may discuss it over with their child/ children after the trial to see if he or she finds it meaningful and beneficial.

Our curriculum – Speech Excellence Program:

This training programme is a 1-year course (January to December- with each month having its own unique and independent topic, this means that students won’t have to go through January’s topic to be able to understand February’s topic). As such, students need not only join at the beginning of the year (i.e. students can join at any time of the year).

(Aged 7-8: every month has its own unique communication modules, ranging from show-and-tell, to storytelling, to speechcraft, confidence-building etc.):

(From Jan to Dec, every month has its own unique communication modules, ranging from persuasive speech to oral exam, to interview skills, to in-class presentation, to debate etc.):

Our Pedagogy – Training Approach:

Our public speaking classes for teens and kids in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques every lesson), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned public speakers and experienced trainers).

We will achieve our training objectives above through a strong emphasis on hands-on, evaluated exercises, with our 50/50 training approach:

• For every lesson, 50% of the class time is dedicated to skills sharing, theories and techniques
• For every lesson, 50% of the class time will be allocated to our students for practising and presenting their craft, with individualised evaluation from your trainer

😰 How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking is common—it’s often rooted in a fear of judgment or making mistakes.

To manage it effectively:

1. Prepare thoroughly
   Knowing your material well builds confidence. Use sign-posts throughout the speech to internalize its structure well.
2. Visualize success
   Shift your focus from negativity to picturing yourself speaking calmly and clearly. Mental rehearsal matters.
3. Start small
   Speak up in small meetings or practice with friends before tackling bigger stages.
4. Focus on your audience
   “Big Baby Pivot” – treating your audience as a “big baby” that requires your full attention, instead of focusing on yourself, shift it to how you can help or inform others.
5. Breathe and pause
   Take deep breaths (inhale while feeling the coolness of the air, and exhale with pursed lips). Pausing helps you think and eases nerves. Pause with sustained eye contact to enhance the impact of your pauses.

🧒 How to Help My Child Speak More Confidently

Building speaking confidence in kids starts with a safe space and the right encouragement.

1. Praise effort, not just performance
   Celebrate the act of speaking up, even if it’s imperfect. E.g. “I see progress! Progress over perfection, ok?”
2. Practice through play
   Role-play, storytelling, or pretend news reporting makes speaking fun.
3. Let them lead conversations
   Encourage your child to initiate and order food, greet guests, or ask questions in public.
4. Set small speaking goals
   Start with a short sentence, then a short personal recount, then a presentation.
5. Enroll in a supportive program
   Group classes designed for kids can provide coaching and peer encouragement.

🎤 How to Teach Kids Public Speaking

Teaching public speaking to kids is all about keeping it light, structured, and encouraging.

1. Teach structure
   Help them organize thoughts into beginning, middle, and end (or Past, Present, Future).
2. Make it interactive
   Games like tongue twisters, show-and-tell, or impromptu topics build fluency.
3. Encourage expression
   Let them use gestures, tone, and facial expressions to bring words to life.
4. Normalize mistakes
   Laugh off stumbles—it builds resilience. Be kind to yourself as well. Reinforce “Progress Over Perfection” mindset.
5. Model good speaking
   Let kids see you speaking clearly and confidently too. You may show them videos of good speakers as role models as well.

📚 Best Public Speaking Class for Children Singapore

Looking for a solid program for kids in Singapore? Here’s what to look for:

1. Age-appropriate curriculum
   Make sure the content fits your child’s developmental level.
2. Focus on confidence-building
   Beyond skills, the best programs grow self-belief that they can apply the same techniques outside of the training class.
3. Curriculum designed by public speaking practitioners
   Training approach and content designed by speakers who have walked the journey will be more effective. E.g. Our kids syllabi are designed by 2016 Public Speaking World Champion Darren Tay with 20 years of experience.
4. Regular stage time
   Opportunities to present, perform, or compete are essential.
5. Passionate instructors
   Look for coaches who specialize in working with young budding speakers.

🧒 Confidence-Building Tips for Kids in Public Speaking

Helping children speak with confidence sets them up for life success.

Here’s how to build that confidence step by step:

1. Start with small wins
   Let them share a story or joke at dinner. Engage in a conversational back-&-forth to sustain their interest in speaking. Celebrate progress, not perfection.
2. Create safe speaking spaces
   Encourage low-pressure opportunities like family games or school events.
3. Role-model bravery
   Show them that it’s okay to be nervous—and that speaking up is still worth it.
4. Focus on body language
   Teach them to stand tall (chest outwards), make sustained eye contact, and smile.
5. Enroll in supportive programs/ courses
   Regular practice with encouraging peers and trainers builds skill and courage.

📚 Storytelling Activities for Children

Storytelling boosts imagination, expression, and communication skills.

Try these fun ways to help your child grow as a storyteller:

1. Story cubes or picture cards
   Let them build a story using random images or prompts.
2. “Pass the story” game
   Each person adds a sentence—fun and spontaneous! Starting from “He is bald.”, to “He is bald, thin, and wears a shirt full of holes.”
3. Daily highlights
   Ask them to share the best part of their day like a mini-story (Who was involved, What happened, How they felt about it).
4. Puppet shows or role play
   Using toys or costumes adds creativity and boosts confidence.
5. Public storytelling time
   Create moments for them to share with others—at home, school, or a training camp.

🎤 How to Prepare Kids for Show-and-Tell

Show-and-tell is a great way to help kids practice speaking in front of others with confidence and clarity.

1. Help them choose something meaningful
   Pick an item they’re excited to talk about (have spent considerable amount of time on)—it makes speaking easier.
2. Plan a simple structure
   Guide them to share:

• What the item is
• Why they chose it – A short story or fact about it
• How the item came about or how it adds value (e.g. water bottle helps to keep them hydrated)

3. Practice out loud
   Let them rehearse at home in front of family or even a stuffed toy audience.
4. Encourage expressive speaking
   Teach them to smile, make sustained eye contact, and speak clearly—even for just 30 seconds.
5. Celebrate effort, not just performance
   Praise their courage for standing up, even if they forget something – seek progress, not perfection

🧩 How to Organize a Speech Quickly

When time is tight, a solid structure saves the day. Use the tried-and-true “Point, Reason, Example” format.

1. Start with your point
   What’s the key message or takeaway? One thing that even if your audience forgets everything else BUT this!
2. Add your reason
   Why does it matter? Back it up with logic or context.
3. Give an example
   Stories or real-life applications make your message stick.
4. Close with a recap
   Reinforce your main point and end confidently.

👪 Is Public Speaking Good for Kids?

Yes—public speaking is one of the most valuable life skills a child can build.

Here’s why:

1. Builds confidence
   Kids learn to speak up, reduce fear of rejection/ objection, even in unfamiliar settings.
2. Improves communication
   They become better listeners and more thoughtful speakers.
3. Sharpens thinking
   Organizing ideas and expressing opinions boosts critical thinking.
4. Encourages leadership
   Strong speakers often become natural leaders in school and beyond.
5. Prepares them for interviews and exams
   Verbal communication is a key part of academic/ future career success.

📅 Best School Holiday Programs for Kids in Singapore

Looking for enriching activities during school breaks? Here’s what to consider:

1. Skill-building focus
   Choose programs that develop holistic life skills like communication in various settings (impromptu speech, storytelling, interview, oral exam, class presentation).
2. Progressive learning and exposure
   Children thrive in settings where they won’t get thrown into the deep end of the water; breaking into smaller groups to present before culminating in the bigger audience will be more receptive.
3. Engaging curriculum
   Look for activities that balance fun with learning.
4. Safe and supportive environment
   Make sure instructors are trained and experienced with children.
5. Tangible takeaways
   Kids should walk away more confident, capable, and inspired.

📖 Storytelling Techniques for Public Speaking

Great storytelling makes your message memorable and emotional.

1. Start with a hook
   Draw the audience in right away with a vivid moment or conflict. E.g. A startling statistic, quotation, or short story.
2. Follow a structure
   Use the classic arc: beginning (set the scene and characters), buildup (the obstacles and challenges faced), climax (the tipping point), resolution (lesson learnt).
3. Keep it personal
   Authentic stories connect more than generic ones.
4. Use descriptive language
   Help the audience see, hear, and feel what happened. Show and not tell. “Creased eyebrows and flared nostrils” to convey “I was angry”.
5. End with meaning
   Tie your story back to your point or a lesson learned.

🎓 DSA Interview Tips for Shy Children

Shy children can still shine in Direct School Admission (DSA) interviews with the right preparation and emotional support.

1. Practice common questions
   Rehearse responding to common questions, like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why this school?”
2. Build familiarity with mock interviews
   Use a quiet space, dress up, and simulate the real environment.
3. Focus on strengths and real stories
   Help your child prepare a few achievements (or challenges they have overcome) they feel proud to share.
4. Teach calming strategies
   Breathing exercises can ease anxiety before the interview (Feeling the cool air up the nose when inhaling, and slowly exhaling with pursed lips).
5. Reframe “shyness” as thoughtfulness
   Let your child know that quiet examination of the situation is a mark of confidence —and schools notice that too.

🎙️ How to Ace a Panel Interview

Panel interviews can feel intimidating, but they’re manageable with the right strategy.

1. Prepare for multiple perspectives
   Each interviewer may focus on different things—prepare well-rounded answers, and don’t expect all interviewers have consensus on every issue.
2. Make eye contact with everyone
   Don’t just focus on the person asking the question—include the whole panel, signalling inclusivity and control of the situation.
3. Stay concise and confident
   Keep answers focused and avoid rambling. No need to dominate, as a conversation might be opened and you can respond subsequently.
4. Show your personality
   Be professional, but let your enthusiasm and authenticity come through.
5. Follow up with a thank-you
   A personalized email to each interviewer helps you leave a strong impression.

🔁 Difference Between Impromptu and Prepared Speech

Impromptu speeches are delivered with little to no preparation—think of answering a surprise question in class or during a meeting.
Prepared speeches are written, practiced, and rehearsed ahead of time—like a TED Talk or school classroom/ business/ boardroom presentation.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Both styles build different communication muscles—and strong speakers often train in both.

🎤 How to Get Better at Impromptu Speaking

Impromptu speaking means thinking on your feet and expressing ideas without much prep time—it’s a valuable life and work skill.

Here’s how to improve:

1. Use a simple structure
   Stick to Point – Explanation – Example – Link (reiterate the point). It keeps your answer clear even under pressure.
2. Pause before you speak
   Take a breath to gather your thoughts (Inhale by feeling the cool air up the nose, and exhale with pursed lips). A short pause shows confidence, not hesitation.
3. Practice with prompts
   Use random topics or questions and give yourself 30 seconds to respond. It builds fluency by internalizing the impromptu frameworks (PEEL).
4. Focus on one main idea
   Don’t try to say everything—pick one key point and support it well.
5. Stay calm under pressure
   Mistakes are okay. The goal is to sound natural by not interrupting the speech flow, not perfect.

🎤 What do the best public speaking classes for teenagers in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

Effective public speaking classes for teenagers in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques every lesson), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned public speakers and experienced trainers).

Effective public speaking classes or courses — like our Speech Excellence Program™ – provide a holistic development of students’ communication skills, ranging from storytelling for class presentations, DSA interview skills, debate skills, persuasive speech, impromptu speaking, oral exam, and more! These are communication settings that teenagers will be encountering in school and social life. This public speaking course uses exposure therapy (week-in-week-out our students will be independently crafting their speeches applying the techniques taught, and delivering them in front of the whole class coupled with professional trainers’ evaluation & feedback (trainers’ profile) to build confidence over time. We strive to impart actionable techniques, provide practical opportunities for application and assimilation of techniques to better manage the relationship with stage/ speaking anxiety.

For teenagers, they are at the adolescence phase where they become more self-conscious and more sensitive to being judged. Our trainers are competent when it comes to engaging with & building rapport with teenagers, teasing out the speaking confidence of the more reserved ones, and yet able to challenge those who are more vocal to enhance their speech delivery such as layering it with body language cues and stage positioning.

🎤 What do the best public speaking classes for primary school children in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

Effective public speaking classes for kids in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques every lesson), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned public speakers and experienced trainers).

Effective public speaking classes or courses — like our Speech Excellence Program™ – provide a holistic development of students’ communication skills, ranging from storytelling in show-and-tell, DSA interview skills, debate skills, persuasive speech, impromptu speaking, oral exam, and more! These are communication settings that primary school children will be encountering in school and social life as they progress towards P6. This public speaking course uses exposure therapy (week-in-week-out our students will be independently crafting their speeches applying the techniques taught, and delivering them in front of the whole class coupled with professional trainers’ evaluation & feedback (trainers’ profile) to build speaking confidence over time. We strive to impart actionable techniques, provide practical opportunities for application and assimilation of techniques to better manage the relationship with stage/ speaking anxiety.

For the young ones, you have a mix of two types of budding speakers – 1) those who are uninitiated or due to past bad experiences, they become self-conscious and more sensitive to being judged or are naturally introverted. Our trainers are competent when it comes to engaging with & building rapport with young children, teasing out the speaking confidence of the more reserved ones with riveting stories and in-class activities, and yet able to challenge those who are more vocal to structure their thoughts better resulting in speeches that are cogent and impactful.

🧠 What do the best DSA interview workshops for teenagers in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

OR

🧠 What do the best DSA interview workshops for primary school students in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

Effective DSA interview workshops for teenagers (secondary school) in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (tried-and-tested techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking and an interview skills/ pitching trainer for Hwa Chong Institution & multi-national corporations), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques through mock interview test-stations), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned interview skills trainer that is actually actively training & highly sought after).

A DSA interview workshop can make the difference — like our Interview Skills Mastery™ which is a 2—half-day intensive masterclass on interview skills training, tailored for young communicators looking for a deep-dive into the knowledge, techniques, and tips for pitching themselves well in interviews and handle unexpected questions from interviewers, helping students respond with clarity, confidence, and presence.

We strive to impart actionable techniques, provide practical opportunities for application and assimilation of techniques to better manage the relationship with interview anxiety.

Separate from prepared speeches during class presentations or public speaking on stage, interview skills is different in terms of posture and body language/ non-verbal communication cues, and interviewees rely heavily on impromptu speaking — an essential skill for school admission (DSA application), leadership roles, scholarship application, internships, and future careers. Our ISM program will teach & prepare secondary students how to formulate impressive responses to the most common, unexpected and difficult interview questions.

🎤 What do the best public speaking workshops for teenagers in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

Effective public speaking workshops for teenagers in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques every lesson), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned public speakers and experienced trainers).

A public speaking holiday workshop or camp can help — like our S’Peak Performance Kids Holiday Program™ which is a 2-day intensive masterclass on public speaking, tailored for young communicators looking for a deep-dive into the knowledge, techniques, and tips for public speaking. It extracts 6 core areas from our extensive public speaking syllabus for a focused and tailored programme for students (e.g., Interview Skills, Storytelling, Stage Confidence-building). This public speaking school holiday camp uses exposure therapy (from multiple break-out sessions in front of smaller crowds, to culminating in the final presentation in front of a bigger crowd), structured practice, and expert feedback (trainers’ profile) to build confidence over time. We strive to impart actionable techniques, provide practical opportunities for application and assimilation of techniques to better manage the relationship with stage/ speaking anxiety.

For teenagers, they are at the adolescence phase where they become more self-conscious and more sensitive to being judged. Our trainers are competent when it comes to engaging with & building rapport with teenagers, teasing out the speaking confidence of the more reserved ones, and yet able to challenge those who are more vocal to enhance their speech delivery such as layering it with body language cues and stage positioning.

🎤 What do the best public speaking workshops for primary school children in Singapore – effective & of quality – typically include?

Effective public speaking workshops for primary school kids (aged 7-8, 9-12) in Singapore focus on three ingredients: T-H-B method – Theory (techniques and strategies curated by 2016 first Singaporean World Champion of Public Speaking), Hands-on practice (actual application of the techniques every lesson), Blindspot feedback (from seasoned public speakers and experienced trainers).

A public speaking holiday workshop or camp can help — like our S’Peak Performance Kids Holiday Program™ which is a 2-day intensive masterclass on public speaking, tailored for young communicators looking for a deep-dive into the knowledge, techniques, and tips for public speaking. It extracts 6 core areas from our extensive public speaking syllabus for a focused and tailored programme for students (e.g., Interview Skills, Storytelling, Stage Confidence-building). This public speaking school holiday camp uses exposure therapy (from multiple break-out sessions in front of smaller crowds, to culminating in the final presentation in front of a bigger crowd), structured practice, and expert feedback (trainers’ profile) to build confidence over time. We strive to impart actionable techniques, provide practical opportunities for application and assimilation of techniques to better manage the relationship with stage/ speaking anxiety.

For the young ones, you have a mix of two types of budding speakers – 1) those who are uninitiated or due to past bad experiences, they become self-conscious and more sensitive to being judged or are naturally introverted. Our trainers are competent when it comes to engaging with & building rapport with young children, teasing out the speaking confidence of the more reserved ones with riveting stories and in-class activities, and yet able to challenge those who are more vocal to structure their thoughts better resulting in speeches that are cogent and impactful.

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