Speaking to an audience can be quite daunting for many people.

Senior students from Katikati College took part this month in a special speaking skills course run by iSpeak Trust with funding from the Wright Family Foundation.

“The course is designed to support senior secondary students develop their speaking skills and grow their confidence in public speaking,” said an iSpeak Trust spokesperson in a statement.

“Students learn to manage nerves and any fears they may have when speaking to a group of students or adults. They are encouraged to find their own voice.”

From fun impromptu speeches about unusual animals and interesting homes to live in, to presenting and polishing a prepared speech, all the students made visible improvements as the course progressed, the spokesperson said.

“They quickly found out how easy it was to speak in public if equipped with appropriate skills and strategies. Students were given feedback by their peers and facilitators.

“The skills learned are life skills, The Wright Family Foundation have funded the charity iSpeak Trust to provide this fun learning course at Tauranga Boys’, Mount Maunganui and Katikati colleges.”

The course is available for all senior high school students.

For further information about donating to iSpeak Trust or organising a course for senior students, contact Gaye Stratton on 021 778810 or check out the website on https://www.ispeaktrust.com/