What are your bad habits? You know you’ve got them, and you’ve either struggled with them or learned to ignore them (if you don’t think you have any, you don’t have a friend good enough to tell you the truth). They say it’s always good to be transparent about one’s struggles. So I thought you’d find it
Breaking Bad… Habits Read The Post »
As a speech coach, I believe that every presentation problem can be overcome through listening, reflection, reworking and rehearsing. That is to say, I listen and share some ideas, the learner reflects and reworks their delivery and through rehearsal they can usual remove the obstacle to good speaking or improve their presentation. I recently had the privilege
Speaking without notes? Read The Post »
Over the years, I have been teaching students and clients a 12-15-minute routine of relaxation, breathing and voice production which inadvertently incorporates power posing. Getting the body ready to support the breath for speaking out is the foundation of good presentation, and a critical part of my speech coaching programme. I don’t know if you’re one of
A Very Important Talk – Even Four Years On Read The Post »
I’ve been working more in promotions in the last year than ever before. It’s brought me up against the cold, hard fact that the truth isn’t all that important to the media. We seem to accept this as ‘the way it is’ and I don’t know if this is because we don’t know how to tackle it or
Tell Me The Truth Read The Post »
1st May 2016, Harwell, Oxfordshire The words below were written first in December 2004 as the introduction to my *thesis. It is equally relevant for the Training Facilitation and 121 coaching I deliver, as I encounter trainees and clients who, due to their negative school experience, don’t believe they are intelligent. I hasten to assure them that
Drama and Multiple Intelligence Theory Read The Post »
Looking for something fun, cultural and relevant to do during the Easter Holidays this April? Godspell is a rock musical from the early ’70s created by final year Drama student, John-Michael Tebelek when he was left cold by the Easter service he attended in New York. It takes the story of Jesus into a hippie context and
Fiona co-directs upcoming production of Godspell Read The Post »
Fiona helped found the first school Speakers’ Club in Britain at The Downs School, Compton in September 2014. Since then it has been thriving and students have received many personal awards, such as the Certificate of Leadership (for completing all the roles in the club, 3 speeches and 2 evaluations), the Interim Certificate of Achievement (for completing the first
Speakers’ Club scoops National Trophy Read The Post »
John McGhee presented the National Award to The Downs School Speaker’s Club Founder on behalf of Head Teacher Chris Prosser and the Youth Speaks entrants, Eirlys, Freya and Alannah. This month, The Downs School achieved its first in the United Kingdom in recognition of its dedication to the development of young people. John McGhee, Education Officer of
Newbury Weekly Recognises First Speakers’ Club in West Berkshire Read The Post »
Jenny* has worked with The Gatehouse, Oxford, for some years. As her role grew, so did her need to be able to speak to groups and in front of a camera. Jenny struggled with this, “e.g. I just wanted to run away, and in fact, I did once!” After completing a 12-week course with Fiona at BESPOKEN
Jenny Triumphs in the Face of … the Camera! Read The Post »
Julian Treasure’s TedTalk – TEDGlobal 2013 Julian Treasure, the sound expert, demonstrates powerful speaking: watch for some vocal exercises and tips on speaking with empathy. If you prefer to read than watch videos, here’s my summary of the video. 10 key takeaways from Julian Treasure’s TED talk Need help with getting people to listen when you speak?
How to Speak so that People Want to Listen Read The Post »
