Coaching-led learning
Questions, feedback and encouragement help students develop their own voice.
Communication & Leadership
Speechcraft
Shape your message. Develop your presence. Shape memorable speeches through language, delivery and practice.
Curriculum overviewAdvanced Development
Register Your Interest Program description
Shape your message. Develop your presence.
Speechcraft is a structured speech-development program for students who want to strengthen their ability to communicate ideas with clarity, purpose and impact. Students move beyond basic speech structure to explore how language, storytelling, evidence, voice and delivery work together to influence an audience's understanding.
Through increasingly challenging speaking assignments, students learn to develop original speeches, refine their arguments, communicate emotion appropriately and adapt their delivery to different audiences and occasions. The program uses a coaching-based approach in which students prepare, deliver, receive feedback, reflect and revise. Students learn that effective public speaking is developed through deliberate practice, not simply natural talent.
Speechcraft is suitable for students preparing for school presentations, leadership opportunities, speaking competitions or other communication challenges. Participation in external competitions is optional and subject to separate arrangements.
What students will learn
Purposeful skills, built through practice.
Develop a purposeful speech
Use rhetorical and storytelling techniques
Strengthen voice and stage presence
Adapt speeches for different audiences
Refine work through feedback
Reflect on individual 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
Developing a purposeful central message.
Learning area 2
Using rhetorical techniques and memorable language.
Learning area 3
Combining storytelling, reasoning and evidence.
Learning area 4
Using vocal variety, pauses, pace and emphasis.
Learning area 5
Developing stage presence and audience connection.
Learning area 6
Revising speeches through feedback and rehearsal.
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
Personal speaking goals and initial speech
Students deliver an initial speech and identify individual development priorities.
- Session 2
Message, purpose and audience analysis
Students establish a clear communication objective.
- Session 3
Strong openings, structure and conclusions
Students develop effective speech architecture.
- Session 4
Language, rhetoric and storytelling
Students explore techniques that make ideas memorable.
- Session 5
Vocal variety, movement and presence
Students practise advanced delivery techniques.
- Session 6
Persuasion, evidence and audience response
Students develop arguments and strengthen supporting evidence.
- Session 7
Speech revision and coached rehearsal
Students refine their speeches through structured feedback.
- Session 8
Final speech and reflective review
Students present their revised speeches and evaluate their development.
Student project
The Signature Speech
Each student develops an original speech on a topic of personal significance. They create a first draft, refine the message, practise delivery and present a revised speech accompanied by a reflection on their development.
Core skills and outcomes
Learning students can explain and apply.
Develop a purposeful speech
Use rhetorical and storytelling techniques
Strengthen voice and stage presence
Adapt speeches for different audiences
Refine work through feedback
Reflect on individual 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
Speechcraft
Assessment
Advanced prepared speaking performance + reflection
Demonstrate
Deliver an advanced prepared speaking performance with a written reflection.
Next step
Leadership and capstone pathways
Explore Certification Pathway- Pathway
- Communication
- Current program
- Speechcraft
- Assessment type
- Model D — Capstone · Advanced prepared speaking performance + reflection
- Exam requirement
- No written exam required — the communication itself is the major evidence
- Prerequisite
- None — readiness and pathway requirements apply
- Next credential
- Leadership and capstone pathways
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.
Structured feedback, rehearsal and reflection can help learners refine their own message and delivery while retaining ownership of their speech.
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
Practice reflections
Student projects
Educator feedback
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, practice reflections, student projects, educator feedback. Parents can follow progress from the parent portal.
Available sessions
No Speechcraft 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 5–12. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Developing to advanced. 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?
The Signature Speech: Each student develops an original speech on a topic of personal significance. They create a first draft, refine the message, practise delivery and present a revised speech accompanied by a reflection on their development.
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
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 programCommunication & Leadership
Public Speaking Foundations
Learn structure, voice and presence in a supportive environment.
Years 3–8. Guidance is matched to learner age and experience. Beginner to developing.
Explore programCurriculum-connected
Curriculum & capability connections
Speechcraft develops persuasive and informative speaking — choosing language and structure for audience and purpose.
Practical skills and activities
- Writing and delivering speeches
- Analysing effective speakers
- Rehearsal with educator 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.