Welcome to Opus Academy



		The Public Speaking Program at Opus Academy is an enrichment program specifically developed to provide the highest quality of public speaking and debate training for children and teens. We train and equip students of all ages and levels to speak with clarity, confidence, conviction and spontaneity. The program instills a lifelong love of mastering the art of public speaking. The courses develop speaker confidence, articulation, organization, writing, critical thinking skills and the ability to deliver well supported presentations, as well as persuasive speeches in school, in students' personal and future professional lives.

Public speaking is North America's greatest fear.

Nervous in front of a crowd?
Having trouble with class presentations?
Wanting to be a better speaker?

The answer is Opus Academy's

PUBLIC SPEAKING PROGRAM

LEARN TO SPEAK. SPEAK TO LEARN.

Speak with confidence, clarity and conviction!

Unleash and develop your full potential!

Communication skills can be taught and learned.

• At Opus, we take the fear out of public speaking.

• Students achieve their goals in a supportive, fun and enjoyable learning environment.

• Students learn through speaking, with many opportunities for active participation, practice and performance.

• Small classes enable more personalized teaching to develop skills and positive attitudes.

Our programs are designed to offer instruction to K-12 students, divided into skill levels and taught by highly qualified teachers through group classes and private lessons. Our dynamic, informative and interactive courses include:

	Highlights:
•	Elements of Public Speaking - emphasis, verbal and non-verbal communication, projection, articulation, eye contact, gesture, poise and posture
•	Mental Gymnastics - thinking on your feet
•	Various types of speeches - persuasive, informative, entertaining and demonstrative
•	Delivery - impromptu, extemporaneous, prepared or memorized
•	Speech writing - topic selection, organization, research, development and mechanics
•	Oral presentations & prepared talks
•	Debate & argumentation (logic)
•	Discussion & research
•	Interviewing
•	Interpretive reading and dramatic interpretation (reader's theater)
•	Conversations & speaking on social occasion (introduction, thanks, farewell, toasts, etc.)
•	Storytelling
•	Model UN
•	Mock trials

A unique and rewarding experience: Multiple opportunities to speak!

All activities maximize students' achievement and potential in a positive, supportive and optimal learning environment.

Our Programs: Stimulating and comprehensive curricula

With Opus Academy's multi-level comprehensive program, your child will learn all the keys to being an effective and engaging public speaker. Our well designed curricula are designed to teach speech dynamics and the different styles of speaking. Students learn to think on their feet through impromptu speaking. They learn how to organize and deliver effective oral presentations and to speak persuasively on topics they choose. Students improve their research, critical thinking skills and interpretive reading skills. The various activities allow students to be creative while developing a polished personal speaking style.

Debating is not just for college students only. Early training in debating helps students to listen carefully, to plan logically and to argue effectively. Students sharpen their critical thinking skills through studying the mechanics of debate and argumentation. Students learn how to construct positions, to defend against and attack each other's arguments, and to cross examine effectively. Instructors use logic games, mock trials and debates for students to take active roles and practice their skills.

Students also learn to evaluate peers and to receive helpful critiques. Once students become confident, they can also learn leadership skills when they organize and conduct meetings and activities.

More comprehensive programs and interactive workshops are available.

Our Teachers: Experienced and professional

Our highly qualified and dedicated teachers are committed to drawing out the best in their students. They will inspire, motivate, and help the students reach their full potential to become effective speakers.

Our professional and experienced teachers are bachelors, masters and doctorate degree holders in either speech, theater, drama, voice, communication arts, English, law or other related disciplines.

Our Facilities: Well equipped and state-of the art

Our facilities are well-equipped with audio-visual tools and resource materials to aid and facilitate learning.

Certificate and Diploma Granting

For a curriculum based program, students can choose from the following certifying bodies:

I. Royal Conservatory of Music (Canada)
• Associate Diploma - Speech Arts and Drama (A.R.C.T.)

www.rcmexaminations.org

II. Trinity College of London / Trinity Guildhall (England)
• Associate Diploma (A.T.C.L.)
• Licentiate Diploma (L.T.C.L.)
• Fellowship Diploma (F.T.C.L.)

The syllabi strands for Trinity Guildhall are:
a. Acting & Speaking
b. Speech & Drama
c. Communication Skills
d. Musical Theater
e. Performance Arts
f. World Dramatists

www.trinitycollege.co.uk

III. London College of Music (England)
• Diploma of the London College of Music (DipLCM)
• Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM)
• Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM)
• Fellowship of the London College of Music (FLCM)

The syllabi strands for London College of Music are:
a. Speech & Drama
b. Verse Speaking
c. Acting
d. Spoken English in Religion
e. Oral Communication
f. Personal & Professional Communication
g. Reading Aloud
h. Duologue
i. Choral Speaking
j. Group Performance
k. Written Examinations
l. Diplomas in Performance, in Teaching and by Thesis

www.tvu.ac.uk/lcmexams

These examinations provide an international standard for students and lead to both performing and teaching certificates.

Students learn progressively and take a series of graded examinations. Some courses are offered as credit for certain high school marks.

Group Instruction

Small group lessons provide a stimulating environment for students to practice their skills with like-minded students.

Private Instruction

One-on-one instruction benefits students' eager to develop expressive speech in a more individualized and goal-setting environment. Lessons are custom designed to cater to the needs and interests of each student. Students may choose to progress through Opus Academy's Public Speaking & Debate programs or through Trinity's Effective Communication Program.

Skill Development

The Opus Academy's public speaking courses teach students every aspect of a successful public speech, from voice and breathing control to topic selection and research. Students will begin with dramatic training from an experienced voice coach, who will teach them to make the most of their physical tools. This will be followed by coaching on the component parts of a speech: topic choice, introduction, content and conclusion. Students are taught the theory behind persuasion, including the Aristotelian triangle of ethos, pathos and logos. As students become more comfortable speaking in front of a crowd, the instructor will introduce the skill of impromptu speaking: delivering a speech without preparation. This will be facilitated through the use of improvisational games and fun "mental gymnastics" exercises.

Skill Applications

This course helps students in a wide variety of different ways, including classroom presentations and discussions, formal speeches, social interaction, writing skills and dramatic skills.