Students in need of public speaking opportunities

Speaking in public requires self-confidence and practice, a group of 29 students learned earlier this month during Euroscola Day. The event, organised by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, attracted delegations of students from across the EU.

Malta was represented by students coming from 12 secondary schools, accompanied by four teachers, to an event that took them to the main auditorium of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, to experience first-hand the work of MEPs.

Various trends emerged as a result of the students' interaction. The students appreciated the opportunity they were given to sit in the same seats occupied by MEPs, and to go through the voting procedure in Parliament. They interacted with students from other EU countries, and could observe how their peers delivered speeches and spoke about their schools. They observed the differences in the educational systems across the European borders.

Jean-Claude Attard, from the Guzé Despott Boys' Junior Lyceum, who introduced the Maltese group to the auditorium packed with students, and who took part in discussions with the other foreign students, said:

"The other groups were domineering, and wanted to have the last word in every discussion. But when it came to presenting the group's summary, the speaker opted to present the ideas the Maltese students had penned. Whatever we wrote was repeated word for word during the presentation. This means that although we may not have been heard, our ideas stood out more than the others'. So this experience taught us that we should take every opportunity to speak up, because we know our ideas and contributions are valid."

Asked how Maltese students fared when compared with other students, Stephen Grima, a subject co-ordinator of Physical Education at Dun Guzepp Brighella Junior Lyceum of Hamrun, said that students from other EU countries seem to have more opportunities for public speaking. Yet, this experience was an excellent self-esteem exercise.

However, Mr Grima was concerned about the lack of opportunities our students have for speaking in public, which was evident because some of the students shied away when it came to asking questions and to speaking in front of an audience.

"We cannot take all the students to Parliament, so we have to create the opportunities in class and among schools. Students should be encouraged to speak up without being afraid of making mistakes," he said.

Paul Mizzi, a teacher at San Miguel School, Pembroke, shared the same concern.

"I was impressed with the presentations of some of the foreign students, who oozed self-confidence. It was clear they were very used to public speaking."

Mr Mizzi believes that Maltese students are very good thinkers, but most are afraid of letting out ideas in public. Our lack of presentation skills may come from the fact that Malta is small and insular.

Mr Mizzi also believes that one of the ways to encourage self-esteem was through drama lessons, which could be made compulsory. Other opportunities could stem from more exchanges with students from other countries.

"Such opportunities have to be made available from an early age. Educators should come up with novel ways of encouraging public speaking, such as the morning assembly, during which students can be assigned to deliver a very short speech every day. Opportunities can be created during every subject, whether it's a presentation on a particular lesson or a chapter of a book."