Youth leadership course hones pupils' speaking skills

"It was as if we were behind a curtain, scared to face the world. The YLP has given us the courage to come out and express our views," says Yasmin Banu Yousuf, one of the students of Radiant School, Sharjah, who is attending the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP).

YLP is an eight-session workshop conducted by the Sharjah chapter of Toastmasters International as part of their community service commitment.

The free programme is designed to develop the public speaking and leadership skills of young students. Guest speakers instruct the participants on various skills such as preparation and presentation of a speech, voice modulation, verbal expression, gestures, correct posture, listening and evaluation skills.

"It is a do-it-yourself programme whereby participants gain experience by conducting the meetings themselves, with guidance from the Toastmasters," said Nancy Fare, the co-ordinator of this YLP.

"From hesitant, reticent... courageous to confident - the group of 20 is slowly metamorphosing into potentially confident public speakers and young leaders," said Nancy.

The children, who have had little or no exposure to public speaking, are keen and enthusiastic to learn this important skill.

Toastmaster Dinesh Purohit feels that the progress shown by the youngsters in the short period is remarkable. Amina Ansari, a Grade 8 student suffering from occasional stammering, was apprehensive of speaking in front of an audience.

On the fourth day she volunteered to give an impromptu speech. Another participant, Honey Sahadev from Grade 9, said: "We are learning something new everyday, losing our stage fright, increasing our vocabulary."

A. Sharma, the headmistress of Radiant School, feels that the Toastmasters are doing a commendable job as YLPs give children an opportunity to think about abstract topics and appreciate the good in others.

"Besides acquiring communication skills and gaining self-confidence, the students are also learning to handle responsibility," added Smita Nambiar, a teacher at Radiant School.

The final verdict of this YLP will be out on April 1 when the students will demonstrate their accomplishments to their parents, teachers and guests.

All the participants will be given certificates in honour of their efforts. More importantly, the students will gain skills that will befriend them for a lifetime.