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Oral Language ranges from everyday speech, through asking and answering questions to formal activities such as debating and public speaking. It is possibly the most extensive activity in which humans are involved. It also involves the development of effective Listening Skills.
The following provides information about the more formal aspects of this. It covers Public Speaking and Debating in particular, while also providing resources for the general development of speaking ability. Listening Skills are also covered.
This page will be further developed as time permits.
We continually add to information available and are willing to consider suggested areas and sources as time permits.
Debating
Commonwealth & State Information
Covers school level and general debating information.
- Australian Debating Federation
‘The peak body for schools debating in Australia. We oversee the provision of debating competitions for Australian school students from across the country’. All relevant information. - Debaters Association of Victoria
Information for schools and adults, resources, events, Australian Debating Championships, Resource Articles and a Schools Handbook for their Schools competition. - Debating
Calendar, competitions, resources, more from the NSW Department of Education Arts Unit. -
Debating and Public Speaking
Information about events and training for these from the Department of Education & Communities, New South Wales. - Debating SA
‘Operates across South Australia to allow students from schools and community organisations to participate in an education-based activity that promotes the development of communication, interpersonal and leadership skills’. -
Debating Skills [BBC - Student Life]
‘It’s all very well having your say, but do you really know how to form an argument and debate an issue ? In just 6 easy steps we’ll show you how’. -
How to Improve Debating Skills
eHow.com. ‘It is hard to be perfect at debating, and very few people can honestly say that they are good debaters. There are certain tricks and tips that anyone can do to improve their debating skills, no matter what their skill level is’. You should also visit the Debating Skills for Children page, which also has links to related information and videos on debating. -
Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking
Competition
‘The Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Competition has two divisions : one for Years 3 & 4 students and one for Years 5 & 6 students. Entrants deliver a prepared speech selected from a list of topics provided by the competition organisers [The Arts Unit and the Multicultural Programs Unit, NSW]’. - Queensland Debating Union
Training Materials, a calendar of events for the coming year, resources, more. - Tasmanian Debating Union
‘Organises schools debating competitions in Tasmania and selects and trains Tasmanian teams to compete in the Australian Debating Championships’. Calendar, resources, links. - Western Australian Debating League
‘Established a forum for competitive debate between Perth metropolitan schools’. Now has more. Schools Competition, National Championships, resources, links, the latest news, more.
Other Information
- Debating
Australian. Information, Free materials. Other training, professional development available but is Fee-based. Australian Debating links. - Debating [2]
Teaching Ideas and Units - Teaching Strategies. Unit from the English Learning Area, Speaking & Listening, from Tasmania. - Debating, Education & Resources
Some material is Fee-based, but there are Free resources, including Information Sheets for various aspects of debating. - Debating Ideas
Includes a Five-minute Debate Planner as well as topics grouped in either themes or levels. - I Beg to Differ : Debating
New Zealand Site. Provides a full English Unit plan with all relevant resources for students in the senior secondary area. Worth consideration. - Speech and Debate Timekeeper
‘Open source, multi-platform timer for speech and debate competitions. It has speech order and time limits preset for Policy, Lincoln-Douglas, Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools, Karl Popper, miscellaneous debate formats as well as individual events’. - Taking the Initiative
‘Students and teachers involved in debating and/or public speaking competitions organised by the NSW Department of Education and Training should be familiar with the most authoritative guide to the conduct and adjudication of these activities’.
Skills Development
- Basic Skills of Debating
Fundamentals to become a devastating debater. - Debatabase
‘The world’s most useful resource for student debaters. Find arguments for and against hundreds of debating Topics, written by expert debaters, judges, coaches. Also background summaries, links, recommended books, example motions, user comments’. Links to other resources. - Debate Central
How to debate, textbooks, videos, news, world debating information, debate blogs, more. - Debate in the Classroom
Mix of lessons, ideas, techniques, effective speaking skills, rubrics, more. US based information, but still relevant. - Debating Guidelines
New Zealand site. Provides guidelines on all aspects of debating. Clearly presented, definite in its viewpoint. -
Debating in the World Schools Style : A Guide
‘A how-to guide to the most popular style of debating among school students across the world. The book is designed for all debaters - from those who have never debated before to those who have significant experience - as well as for coaches and supporters. Written by a former winner of the World Schools Championships, the guide covers all aspects of debating’. Previously available at no cost, it is now Fee-based, though the cost is quite reasonable. - World Debate Website
Tutorials, adjudication information, research topics, motions, other links, rule information, more.
Public Speaking
Public Speaking Competitions
- Legacy
Training/competition for speakers in the 12-14 age group. Topics based on Australian history. Click on National Public Speaking Award from menu. - Plain English Speaking Award
All details provided. Often run in each state by the Government Education Department. - Public Speaking
Calendar, competitions, resources, more. NSW Department of Education Arts Unit. - The VCAA Plain English Speaking Award in Victoria
‘The Plain English Speaking Award [PESA] is a public speaking competition for students aged 15-18 years’. All details provided. - Voice of Youth
‘Public Speaking Competition for Secondary School Students’. Run by Rostrum [see below].
Speech Making
- 10 Tips to Improve Your Speech
Good advice from a blog by Gary Guwe called The Shy Speaker’s Guide to Success on Stage. - 4 000+ Speech Topics
‘Free speech topics with more than 4 000 persuasive, informative and other speech ideas, speech writing tips, how to guides, tutorials, information on outlining your speech topic for public speaking’. - Famous Speeches
Gain ideas to improve your skills. Includes historical as well as modern day speeches from famous people. Print format rather than audio. - Painless Public Speaking
Overcome panic and poor presentation. Tips, courses, even speeches written for you. - Performing Speeches
13 articles covering everything from performance techniques to Tips from the Stage. - Presentation Tips for Public Speaking
Short article with a lot of common sense included. Also has a series of links to related material. - Public Speaking Class Resources
‘Tips for persuasive speech topics, informative speeches, and more’. Aimed at secondary level and higher. Suite 101. -
Strictly
Speaking
‘A guide specifically intended for students and teachers of public speaking’. NSW Department of Education, Teaching & Learning Exchange.
Other Information
Listening Skills
- Active Listening Skills
Several processes listed with examples. - A Listening Skills Rubric
- Classroom Listening Skills
‘Are you an effective listener ? Then, use effective listening techniques. Here are the Top ten ways to listen to a lecture.’ - Good Listening in Class
‘Listening is a cognitive act that requires you to pay attention and think about and mentally process what you hear. Here are some things you should do to be a good listener in class’. - Improving Listening Skills
Article. 3 types of effective listening, roadblocks, reasons to improve, feelings to listen for, role-play activity. -
Listening
LaTrobe University, Victoria. Advice for students, particularly about listening [and note-taking] effectively in lectures. - Listening Skills
‘These lesson plans and materials are appropriate for general English classes. Have a look ! There’s a huge assortment of listening activities’. -
Skillswise - Speaking & Listening
From the BBC. Practise listening for specific information and different types of listening as well as a variety of speaking activities. - Speaking & Listening Skills - Listening
‘What does it really mean to listen ? Tips for being a good listener’. - Teaching Children Listening Skills Through
Reading
‘Teaching children listening skills by reading to them will improve their listening skills and train them in the art of active l istening’. For younger students. - Teaching Listening
‘It is essential for language teachers to help their students become effective listeners. In the communicative approach to language teaching, this means modelling listening strategies and providing listening practice in authentic situations’. Goals, techniques, strategies, developing activities, textbook listening activities, assessing proficiency, resources. - What is Listening
?
Lists good and poor listening habits. Links to Active Listening and other information.
Other Information
- Australian Speak Easy Association
Self-help group aiding those who stutter and find speaking difficult. - Art of Speaking in Public
Tips that help improve your public speaking. - National Speaker’s Association
Join if a professional speaker. Events, newsletter. Fee-based. - Learning Connection
Speaking and listening at Uni. Helps develop and give oral presentations. Ideas, tools for evaluation and improving in the future. - Rostrum
‘Australian organisation where members learn and practice public speaking skills in a friendly club atmosphere. Members help each other to increase confidence and improve speaking skills in a warm, friendly and co-operative environment’. - Toastmasters International
The International body. Resources page has quality Free resources to assist with speech making. Available online, as PDF documents. - The English Book
Find information on oral rather than graphic or written presentations. - Toastmasters International Australia
‘Will help you overcome any fear of public speaking while learning skills that will allow you to become more successful in whatever path in life you have chosen’.