The Confident Speaker

Abstract

The Confident Speaker offers activities to introduce students to a variety of methods and uses of oral communication. It will guide students through a step-by-step process to plan, write and present speeches of various types. The textbook is targeted at upper elementary school students in Korea (grades 4-6) who are level 3-4 for Speaking and Writing based on WIDA’s ELP Standards (2007 Edition). Students at these levels are quite comfortable with chatting amongst friends or giving short answers in English; however they have not developed the skills or confidence required to speak individually for a longer period of time in front of others. Effective communication skills are becoming increasingly important in any language. According to Baldoni of the Harvard Business Review, “Communication and interpersonal skills remain at the top of what matters most to recruiters” (Baldoni, 2007). Successful communication skills are critical not only in the business world, but also in all areas of life, whether it be social, academic or work-related. Unfortunately, great speakers are not naturally born. Oral communication skills whether they be in one’s first or second language must be learned, honed and practiced in order to improve.