The Speak Square

Public speaking, speech and debate and presentation skills are vital for students to have as they progress through school and pursue leadership and advanced classes at the high school and college level. The Speak Square is a way for middle schoolers to gain public speaking and communication skills which are vital to be successful in this day and age. That means being confident – talking loudly and clearly – and introducing kids to relevant topics of conversation.

The program teaches kids the basics of public speaking – such as how not to stutter – utilizing topics of conversation they’ll often run into while pursuing a STEM education and career in high school and beyond. We believe practice is the best way to teach kids confidence, rhetorical tools, and impromptu speech organization. Kids will attend classes practicing impromptu speeches and public speaking technique weekly, and end the school semester with a speech or presentation on a topic of their choice that expresses what they’ve learned.

Anyone with an interest in bettering their public speaking ability can join, regardless of what experience they might have. This program will be run by high school senior and co-President of Dublin High’s debate team, Diya Vij, over Zoom and Discord.