Public Speaking Excellence Program: A 3-Month Guide for University Students

1. Program Introduction & Benefits

The Public Speaking Excellence Program is a structured, 3-month experiential learning journey designed to transform university students from apprehensive speakers into confident, compelling communicators. Grounded in proven pedagogical frameworks like the Rhetorical Canons and the adapted 70-20-10 Rule, the program prioritizes hands-on practice, iterative feedback, and systematic skill development. It moves participants from mastering speech fundamentals to delivering a capstone presentation with live Q&A, ensuring measurable growth in both competence and confidence.

Strategic Benefits for University Students:

1. Enhanced Academic & Career Readiness: Develops a critical soft skill that improves performance in class presentations, thesis defenses, and internship/job interviews, providing a tangible competitive edge.
2. Reduction of Communication Anxiety: Utilizes evidence-based techniques (progressive exposure, breath control, self-recording) to systematically reduce public speaking apprehension, a common barrier for over 70% of students.
3. Structured Skill Development: Offers a clear, milestone-driven path from basic delivery to advanced performance, building confidence incrementally through manageable, weekly challenges.
4. Creation of a Tangible Portfolio Artifact: Results in a polished, recorded capstone presentation that students can use in their digital portfolios or share with potential employers as proof of their communication abilities.
5. Peer Network & Collaborative Learning: Fosters a supportive community of practice where students give and receive constructive feedback, enhancing learning through diverse perspectives and reducing the isolation often felt in skill development.

2. Program Expansion Strategy

Evaluation: This is a Training Program, not a Mentorship or Coaching program. The primary goal is to improve public speaking and presentation skills through structured content and peer practice. While effective, the addition of a supplemental Mentorship layer would significantly enhance outcomes by providing personalized guidance, accountability, and real-world perspective.

Value of a Mentorship Addition: A mentorship component bridges the gap between program exercises and real-world application. Experienced speakers (e.g., advanced students, alumni, faculty, or professionals) can offer nuanced feedback on a mentee's unique challenges, share personal strategies for overcoming anxiety, and provide context on how these skills apply in specific academic fields or industries. This one-on-one support accelerates learning, increases program retention, and adds significant value for participants seeking career-focused advice.

Implementation Note: Integrate a voluntary, low-commitment mentorship track. Pair interested students with mentors for the program's duration. Structure could include:

• Kick-off Meeting: Goal setting and baseline assessment.
• Bi-weekly Check-ins (30 mins): Review of practice recordings, discussion of challenges, and preparation for upcoming milestones.
• Capstone Support: Mentors attend the final presentation rehearsal or live event, providing final feedback and encouragement. This can be managed simply via scheduling tools and guided conversation prompts to ensure productive sessions.

3. Implementation Roadmap

Launch Phase (Pre-Program to Week 1)

• ✓ Finalize Program Platform: Set up all modules, content, and tracking in the selected LMS (see Tools List).
• ✓ Participant Onboarding: Create and distribute welcome materials, pre-program survey (confidence baseline, personal goals), and technical setup guide.
• ✓ Kick-off Session: Host a live virtual orientation to introduce the program, facilitators, methodology (70-20-10), and build community.
• ✓ Cohort Formation: Create small, consistent peer review groups (4-5 students) to foster accountability and safe practice environments.
• ✓ Week 1 Content Launch: Release first module (Speech Fundamentals) with initial practice assignment (e.g., record a 1-minute self-introduction).

Tracking & Operations (Weekly Cycle)

• Content Delivery: Each Monday, release a new module/sub-topic via the LMS, containing short theory videos, readings, and a core practice assignment.
• Practice & Feedback Loop:
  • Wednesday Deadline: Students submit practice speech recordings (e.g., to LMS or peer review platform).
  • Thursday-Friday: Structured peer review within assigned groups using provided rubrics focused on that week's skills.
  • Facilitator Oversight: Program manager monitors discussion forums, reviews aggregated feedback, and hosts optional weekly "Office Hours" for Q&A.
• Milestone Events: At the end of Weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12, host live (or recorded live) showcase sessions where students deliver their milestone speeches to a broader audience.

Success Measurement

Quantitative KPIs:

• Skill Proficiency: Average peer/instructor rubric score (clarity, structure, delivery) improves by 20-30% from Milestone 1 to Milestone 4.
• Behavioral Change: Reduction in filler word frequency by ≥50% in final capstone vs. baseline recording.
• Program Engagement: ≥85% completion rate of core practice assignments.
• Time Management: ≥90% of milestone speeches delivered within ±10% of the target time.

Qualitative & Feedback Mechanisms:

• Confidence Survey: Administer a pre- and post-program survey (1-10 scale). Target: Average self-reported confidence increases by +3 points.
• Feedback Themes: Conduct sentiment analysis on open-ended feedback from peer reviews and end-of-module reflections to track emerging themes (e.g., "increased composure," "better audience connection").
• Exit Interviews/Testimonials: Collect qualitative stories on how skills were applied in a real-world setting (e.g., "Used techniques in my seminar presentation last week").

4. Approved Tools List

• LMS (Learning Management System): PRIMARY TOOL. This is non-negotiable for a structured, 3-month training program. It will host all video content, readings, assignments, and provide a central hub for progress tracking, submission of speech recordings, and gradebook functionality for rubric scores.
• Internal Social Network: SECONDARY TOOL. To foster the community of practice essential for peer feedback and reducing anxiety. Used for discussion forums beyond peer reviews, cohort-wide announcements, sharing of inspirational resources, and informal support among participants.
• Personality Test: SUPPLEMENTAL TOOL. Optional activity to be used in the "Overcoming Barriers" module. Tools that assess communication styles can help students understand their natural tendencies (e.g., introversion/extroversion in communication) and develop personalized strategies for audience adaptation and managing apprehension.

Justification: An LMS provides the necessary structure for content sequencing and assignment management. The Internal Social Network directly addresses the challenge of "limited practice opportunities" by creating an always-available community for support. The Personality Test is a value-add for self-awareness but is not core to program delivery.

5. Resource & Content Library

General Program Content

Module 1: Speech Fundamentals & Rhetoric

• Video: "The Rhetorical Canons: Your Blueprint for Any Speech"
• Reading: "Speaking vs. Writing: Adapting Your Message for the Ear"
• Guide: "How to Conduct Your First Self-Evaluation: A Checklist"
• Assignment: Record a 2-minute "Key Point Speech" on a personal passion.

Module 2: Content Creation & Structure

• Video: "From Idea to Outline: Building a Compelling Argument"
• Reading: "The Power of Transitions: Guiding Your Audience"
• Template: "Speech Outline Worksheet (Introduction, Body, Conclusion)"
• Assignment: Develop and record a 5-minute structured persuasive pitch.

Module 3: Delivery Techniques & Practice

• Video Series: "Vocal Control Masterclass" (Projection, Pitch, Pace, Pauses)
• Video: "Body Language on Stage: Gestures, Movement & Eye Contact"
• Guide: "The Chunking Method: How to Practice and Memorize Effectively"
• Assignment: Re-record a previous speech focusing exclusively on delivery techniques.

Module 4: Performance & Mastering the Stage

• Video: "Reframing Nervous Energy: Techniques from Performers"
• Reading: "Audience Analysis: Adapting Your Message in Real-Time"
• Simulation Guide: "Handling Hostile & Friendly Q&A Sessions"
• Assignment: Conduct a full dress rehearsal with a practice audience.

Supplemental Mentoring Content Table

To support the optional mentorship track, provide the following resources to mentor-mentee pairs.