LETs Stand Public Speaking – Details, episodes & analysis

“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

“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.

“We all want to make an impact on life”. “Most people don’t have an interest in being on stage but most people have an interest in making sense to an audience”. In this episode, it’s my pleasure to speak with Paul O’Mahony, a man of many hats and talents. As Paul is a poet, amongst many other professional and personal roles held across his life, we chat about a topic I love, poetry. Poetry mainly and also, public speaking. Paul shares with us, his love of poetry from passing a book of poetry under the desk in secondary school to the impact of Wilfred Owen’s poem on him to writing different types of poetry himself. Paul advises that the discipline poetry gives us is a worthy challenge, the discipline of making every word count. He recommends that because “we all want to make an impact in life “and are “individually distinctive”, poetry writing helps us to understand the importance of thinking about every single word we use, saying and writing not too much but enough to make an impact. He also shares with us some very thought-provoking ideas about public speaking, a term he would prefer not to use and reminds us of how Toastmasters empowers individuals to become more effective communicators. Throughout this episode, you will be inspired to consider the power of words and the language we use in poetry and in speech to explain, inspire, entertain, inform and even transform our feelings and experiences. Paul advises that the better the quality of your language, the better you’ll be able to communicate through poetry and speaking. Here are links to some of Paul’s poetry and some of what Paul spoke about: From Bath to Cork with baby Grace https://paulhomahony.com/ Paul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/omaniblog?lang=en From Cork with Love: https://audioboom.com/channel/From-Cork-With-Love 2015 World Champion: 'The Power of Words' Mohammed Qahtani, Toastmasters International https://youtu.be/Iqq1roF4C8s Dananjaya Hettiarachchi - World Champion of Public Speaking 2014 - Full Speech https://youtu.be/bbz2boNSeL0 #poetry #toastmastersinternational #toastmasters4golf #PaulO’Mahony #communicationskills

Children have the ability and creativity to solve or at least try to solve many of their own problems if we trust them and give them the space to do so. The TEDx talk by Charlie Cooper, aged 9, is an example of how children can come up with solutions to their dilemmas using a beautiful blend of imagination, creativity and empathy. Perhaps, we adults, teachers and parents, should stand back and stop jumping in so quickly to solve problems for them. You can view and listen to Charlie’s TEDx talk at this link: https://youtu.be/V7Z-Hq-xvxM #publicspeaking #childrenpublicspeaking #creativity #empoweringchildren #changemaker

Philip Howlin has been working in the financial services industry for 23 years. A speaker at industry events, he also contributes to industry magazines. Philip’s educational background is in Marketing, Strategy and Financial Services. His specialist area is pension planning and he has a personal interest in financial wellbeing and minimalist living. Philip, who joined Toastmasters 3 years ago, is the host of the Mullingar Toastmasters – Creative Speakers Podcast. The Creative Speakers’ Podcast, supported by Creative Ireland aims to delve into the creative voices in our communities to uncover what ignites the fire in creative people, where their passion comes from and how they deliver on that. Creative Ireland, a government initiative aims to support creativity in the community, enabling every person to achieve their creative potential. Philip believes that we are all artists in our own lives, acknowledging that wonderful sense of achievement and accomplishment when we bring something new into the world through our creativity when we’re brave enough to be authentic and vulnerable. He notes how there are different types of creativity for different people. Philip provides an insight for us into speaking in the corporate world. He points out that “if you can speak well, you automatically get into the top 20%”. Talking about public speaking, Philip shares that “when you hear someone speak, it’s a window to their soul”. He also mentions that “you cannot write a speech that doesn’t connect with you in some shape or form”. Throughout this discussion, Philip shares many powerful, profound nuggets of wisdom, such as, “you’re a good enough human as you are”, “say yes to every opportunity because you’ll learn something from it”, try “turning your nerves into excitement” and substitute the concept of mistakes with the term, ‘experimentation’. In sharing some of his experiences of Toastmasters with us, Philip encourages us to look at things a little differently challenging us, when it comes to speaking opportunities, to acknowledge that it is a privilege for us to have the opportunity to speak. Philip makes the point that public speaking can be a way of “untangling your thoughts”. Philip pays tribute to some of what he’s learned from fellow Toastmasters from the Mullingar Toastmasters club. He shares with us some details of Mullingar Toastmasters’ Innovative ‘Other Voices’ series which provided a platform for voices from the community that may not normally be heard, some everyday heroes who are all around us. Thank you Philip. Below are links to more information on some of what you will hear mentioned in this episode: https://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2019/1220/1102343-leaving-limbo-our-documentary-is-a-reflection-of-this-country/ Available on the RTE player. - Link to Mullingar Toastmasters, https://m.facebook.com/mullingartoastmasters/ - Link to creative voices podcasts. Currently Creative Voices’ podcast is due to change to ‘Creative Speakers’ podcast soon. https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/creative-voices-ireland-mullingar-toastmasters-westmeath/id1556905842 - Link to Creative Ireland. https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/

Sir Ken Robinson is one of the most, in fact, possibly, the most inspirational speakers on the topic of Education worldwide. He has inspired millions of educators through his groundbreaking thought-provoking talks which challenge us to think deeply about education and especially creativity in education. In this episode, I will listen to and comment on his TED talk: ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity?’, the most watched TED talk to date, analyzing and discussing his key messages and how he delivers them to maximum effect. You can view the talk at this link: https://youtu.be/iG9CE55wbtY. #Ken Robinson #Creativity

Fiona Collins is the Network Coordinator of the DCU Changemaker Schools Programme, a collaborative professional network of schools linked to the DCU Institute of Education with a mission to reimagine, co create and lead transformation in education by developing, amplifying, and sharing the skills of empathy, creativity, leadership, and teamwork. See more here: https://www.dcuchangemakernetwork.com/ Launching in April 2021, the network with a practice to theory approach aims to support schools in developing their students as Changemakers and finding creative solutions to social problems. See here: https://www.dcu.ie/commsteam/news/2021/apr/dcu-launches-dcu-changemaker-schools-network-support-teachers-and-students Fiona is also a PhD candidate on the topic of leadership with Professor Dympna Devine at UCD working as a researcher in the Children's Schools Lives Study (CSL), an exciting new longitudinal cohort study of primary schooling in Ireland. See more here: .https://cslstudy.ie/ . If you are a teacher, a parent, a student, a policy maker or anyone with an interest in education, this episode will be of interest to you. In this episode, Fiona explains what the DCU Changemaker Schools’ Network is and her role as the Network Coordinator. Aligning around common language, values and the common changemaking pillars of leadership, empathy, creativity and teamwork, there are currently 15 Primary Schools from across Ireland in the DCU Changemaker Schools’ Network which has an ambition to scale up from this number. The network comprises a professional community of like-minded individuals and schools chosen because they create systemic change in education. The vision of these schools embodies creativity, empathy, leadership and team work, with the courage and tenacity to develop a school culture that is built up and strengthened around those pillars in responding to the needs of their particular students. Changemaker schools have the ability to influence and inspire regardless of size or location and ultimately develop students as ‘changemakers’. A changemaker is someone with the skills and confidence to lead change in their home, school or community. Student voice and agency are evident in ‘Changemaker’ schools and students are empowered to realize that their voice and agency matters and makes a difference. Fiona poignantly reminds us that “we can all remember the teacher who believed in us”. It’s so important for teachers to realize the power they have in that regard. As Fiona points out in this conversation, the world is changing extremely fast, what worked before won’t work into the future. How we teach must reflect how our students learn and also reflect the world they will emerge into. Changemaker schools are shaking things up and making a meaningful difference for the students they teach. American philosopher, psychologist and educator warned: “. If we teach today's students, as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow.” I hope you enjoy this episode and if you have any thoughts you’d like to add to the discussion, please leave them in the Comments for this podcast. https://www.ashoka.org/en-us/program/ashoka-changemaker-schools

Safe to say, the response to Series 1 of the ‘LET’s Stand podcast has surpassed my wildest dreams. I really didn’t know where this might lead when I took that first step a few short months ago. I had some inspirational people I wanted to chat with in mind from the beginning but as the journey progressed, more were revealed to me. Thank you so much to my guests: Frank Keenan, Helen Butler, Jigyasa Labroo, Sandra Zimmer, Ella May Dowling, Eileen Hopkins, Robbie Forde, Martina Breen and Laura Bruce. I learned so much from you all and thoroughly enjoyed our conversations. In analyzing famous speeches and presentations in the other episodes, I hope this gave you, the listener an insight into what tools and techniques speech writers and speakers can learn and use to inform, entertain, educate, persuade, influence and inspire an audience. Thank you most sincerely to the listeners who have given their time and attention to listen to the podcast and to make contact with me regarding future guests and other interesting stories. Please keep your comments and contributions coming. For teachers, the ‘LET’s Stand’ Programme is available for Primary and Secondary schools to order through https://4schools.examcraftgroup.ie/letsstandprimary

Physician, psychologist and philosopher Edward de Bono stated that “Humour is by far the most significant activity of the human brain”. What a wonderful gift, to laugh and to be able to make others laugh. My guest today is the wonderfully humorous Laura Bruce. Laura is an author, speaker and aspiring stand-up comedian. A Canadian, now living in New Zealand, Laura is an award- winning speaker and the 2020 Humorous Speech Champion in New Zealand Toastmaster’s District 72. Laura has been performing comedy regularly since October 2019 after relocating to Christchurch, New Zealand. She was voted Best Newcomer - South Island - by members of the New Zealand Comedy Guild. Laura published her first book, “Lockdown Living: 101 ways to stay positive during the Pandemic” in April 2020. She inspired with her first TEDx Talk at TEDx Inverness in 2016. Author, speaker, stand-up comedian, radio presenter, MC and presentation skills’ trainer, it was my great pleasure to speak to Laura recently about ‘Speaking and Humour’. You can find out more about Laura and follow her great work through the following links: https://www.instagram.com/laurathebruce/ and https://youtu.be/4brlE_RKa3k If you would like to find out more about the new online Toastmasters’ club OUCH - ‘Online Uncensored Comedians and Humourists’, you can check out its Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Online-Uncensored-Comedians-Humourists-OUCH-Toastmasters-100252575527927/ It’ll have you crying “ouch” with laughter. Guests and new members are always welcome.

When I listened to this speech first, it truly blew me away. Although delivered as a monologue in a movie, ‘The Great Dictator’, in 1940, it seems equally relevant today. The poor barber, dressed as the dictator Henkel, in order to escape a camp, finds himself having to deliver his first public speech ever. Mistaken for Hynkel, he has no choice but to make the speech. Beginning by announcing that he has had a change of heart and does not want to be an emperor, he makes an impassioned plea for brotherhood and goodwill. This speech is rich with many wonderful examples of effective rhetorical devices such as triads, repetition, metaphor and contrasts. Its powerful message us as important today as it was when first delivered over 80 years ago. Charlie Chaplin is a genius!!!