Coaching-led learning
Questions, feedback and encouragement help students develop their own voice.
Communication & Leadership
Public Speaking Foundations
Find your voice. Share your ideas. Learn structure, voice and presence in a supportive environment.
Curriculum overviewBuild
Register Your Interest Program description
Find your voice. Share your ideas.
Public Speaking Foundations introduces students to the essential skills of preparing and delivering a speech. Through guided practice, students learn to organise ideas, communicate a clear message and engage an audience. Students explore how a speech begins, develops and concludes. They practise using their voice, pace, pauses, eye contact and body language to communicate meaning.
Each student works towards a manageable speaking goal, supported by educator coaching, peer feedback and opportunities to practise. The program encourages students to view nervousness as a common experience that can be approached with preparation, support and practice. Students are encouraged to take progressive speaking challenges without being pressured into performances for which they are not ready.
What students will learn
Purposeful skills, built through practice.
Structure a prepared speech
Communicate a central message
Use appropriate vocal techniques
Develop audience awareness
Practise constructive feedback
Reflect on their speaking development
The Forge difference
Why Families Choose Forge Communication & Leadership
A practical, supportive approach built around participation, thoughtful guidance and progressive challenge.
Supportive environment
Progressive challenges allow students to participate at an appropriate pace.
Active participation
Interactive practice, collaboration and speaking activities.
Age-appropriate guidance
Activities are adapted to students' age, interests and experience.
Progressive development
Regular practice, feedback and reflection build on previous learning.
Real-world application
Students practise skills relevant to school and everyday communication.
Curriculum
Core learning, clearly connected.
Each area is developed through guided explanation, practical work, testing and reflection.
Learning area 1
Understanding audience, purpose and message.
Learning area 2
Structuring a speech with an introduction, body and conclusion.
Learning area 3
Developing ideas with examples and supporting details.
Learning area 4
Using vocal clarity, pace, volume and pauses.
Learning area 5
Developing natural gestures, posture and audience awareness.
Learning area 6
Preparing, rehearsing and using constructive feedback.
Eight-session curriculum
A clear journey from first practice to final reflection.
An introductory term sequence. Register your interest to hear when classes open.
- Session 1
Discovering my speaking strengths and goals
Students identify speaking experiences and establish individual learning goals.
- Session 2
Understanding audience and purpose
Students explore how communication changes according to the audience and intended message.
- Session 3
Building a clear speech structure
Students develop introductions, main points and conclusions.
- Session 4
Voice, pace, volume and expression
Students practise using vocal techniques to communicate meaning.
- Session 5
Body language and audience connection
Students explore posture, movement, gestures and audience awareness.
- Session 6
Developing examples and persuasive ideas
Students support their main points with examples and explanations.
- Session 7
Speech rehearsal and feedback
Students practise their speeches and receive constructive guidance.
- Session 8
Prepared speech and reflection
Students deliver a prepared speech and review their progress.
Student project
My First Prepared Speech
Students research or develop a topic they care about, prepare an organised speech and deliver it to an appropriate audience. Feedback focuses on preparation, clarity, delivery and individual progress.
Core skills and outcomes
Learning students can explain and apply.
Structure a prepared speech
Communicate a central message
Use appropriate vocal techniques
Develop audience awareness
Practise constructive feedback
Reflect on their speaking development
Your Credential Pathway
Learning that leads somewhere beyond attendance.
This course contributes towards the relevant Academy credential pathway. Students who complete the required learning and demonstrate the assessment standard may become eligible for certification.
- 01
Learn
Complete the Academy program.
- 02
Practise
Develop capability through challenges and guided activities.
- 03
Demonstrate
Complete an applied project or performance.
- 04
Assess
Complete the relevant practical assessment and/or certification examination.
- 05
Credential
Earn the relevant Innovate Forge Academy credential when requirements are successfully demonstrated.
Applied credential pathway
Credential opportunity
Public Speaking Foundations
Assessment
Practical communication performance + short reflection
Demonstrate
Deliver a prepared speech showing purpose, structure, clarity, audience awareness, delivery and preparation.
Next step
Applied Communication
Explore Certification Pathway- Pathway
- Communication
- Current program
- Public Speaking Foundations
- Assessment type
- Model C — Practical / Performance · Practical communication performance + short reflection
- Exam requirement
- No written exam required — the communication itself is the major evidence
- Prerequisite
- None — readiness and pathway requirements apply
- Next credential
- Applied Communication
Where can this learning lead?
- Course
- Speaking Challenges
- Prepared Speech
- Public Speaking Credential
- Applied Communication
- Speechcraft
Growth & Care approach
More than a course. A supported learning journey.
Coaching can support manageable speaking goals, preparation, constructive feedback and reflection without promising a particular confidence outcome.
The exact coaching, mentoring and pastoral-care practices included are confirmed for each program. An individually assigned mentor is not promised.
Explore our learning approachThe Forge App
Continue learning with the Forge App.
Forge is included with every program, at no extra cost. Course activities, project portfolios and educator feedback live in one place, and parents can follow along from the parent portal.
Speech planning
Speaking goals
Presentation resources
Practice reflections
Suggested learning pathway
Enter where the challenge fits.
Students can begin at an appropriate level based on age, interests and previous experience. This is guidance—not a mandatory prerequisite chain.
Explore
Build
Apply
Advanced Development
Forge learning support
Forge supports speech planning, speaking goals, presentation resources, practice reflections. Parents can follow progress from the parent portal.
Available sessions
No Public Speaking Foundations session is currently confirmed. Register your interest for approved dates, locations and delivery details.
View Term 1 2027 catalogueFees and enrolment
Fees, available places and enrolment arrangements have not been approved. Register your interest to receive confirmed information.
Register Your InterestFrequently asked
Course questions.
Who is this course suitable for?
Years 3–8. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to developing. Educators can help families identify an appropriate entry point.
What if my child feels nervous speaking in front of others?
Speaking challenges are intended to be progressive and appropriate to the learner. Preparation, choice, constructive feedback and reflection are emphasised; no particular confidence outcome is guaranteed.
What happens during a typical session?
The program combines explanation, active speaking or listening practice, collaboration, feedback and reflection. The exact activity is adapted to age and experience.
Will students complete a final project?
My First Prepared Speech: Students research or develop a topic they care about, prepare an organised speech and deliver it to an appropriate audience. Feedback focuses on preparation, clarity, delivery and individual progress.
Where and when are classes available?
No date, time, venue, capacity or commencement date is confirmed on this page. Register your interest to receive approved details.
What is the enrolment process?
Use the Register Your Interest action to contact the academy. Enrolment and payment are not activated until an approved process and session are available.
Related courses
Continue the learning journey.
These are suggested routes, not mandatory prerequisites. Existing experience can support a different entry point.
Communication & Leadership
Speechcraft
Shape memorable speeches through language, delivery and practice.
Years 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Developing to advanced.
Explore programCommunication & Leadership
Presentation Skills
Plan and deliver clear, engaging presentations.
Years 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to advanced.
Explore programCommunication & Leadership
Debating & Critical Thinking
Build reasoned arguments, listen closely and respond thoughtfully.
Years 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to advanced.
Explore programCurriculum-connected
Curriculum & capability connections
Public Speaking Foundations builds the oral presentation skills practised in English, from structure to voice and body language.
Practical skills and activities
- Structuring a clear talk
- Voice, pace and eye contact practice
- Presenting to peers with feedback
General capabilities
LiteracyCritical and Creative ThinkingPersonal and Social Capability
View Curriculum Connections
Australian Curriculum v9
- EnglishCore connectionSpeaking and listening: oral presentations, audience awareness and discussion
- Health and Physical EducationSupporting connectionPersonal and social skills, confidence and respectful interaction
Victorian Curriculum
- English — Speaking and listening (Victorian Curriculum 2.0)
- Personal and Social, and Critical and Creative Thinking capabilities
International references
- IB Approaches to Learning — thinking, communication and social skills
- Cambridge learner attributes — confident, reflective, innovative and engaged
These connections show how the program complements school learning. They are not accreditation or endorsement by any curriculum authority, and participation does not replace school assessment. Schools can request a program-level mapping summary.
Forge Discovery Starter Session
New to this learning area?
Not sure whether this program is the right starting point for your child? Explore our Forge Discovery Starter Session and discover an introductory learning experience relevant to your child's interests.
Interested in this program?
Tell us what your learner is curious about and we’ll help identify an appropriate next step.