A public speaking day, organized by the Girl Guide Association of Sri Lanka was held on May 21, 2011 at the band stand area of the Viharamaha Devi Park.
The concept was to create one that is similar to the Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, England where the public is allowed to express their opinion free of charge on any topic. Five informal places similar to Hyde Park were arranged.
The aim of the program was to identify the best speakers and train them for the future to be orators so that they will represent the
Girl Guides when necessary.
The children were allowed to speak for three minutes on a prepared or impromptu speech or they were allowed to participate in both events based on the themes that had been circulated at the beginning of the year.
Nearly 50 students participated and children spoke on their respective topics. They had the option of speaking in English, Sinhala or Tamil. The panel of judges comprised five members from the Toast Masters Club.
Body movement and voice variation were among the few guidelines adopted to evaluate their talents. Five speakers took the stands at the same time and the judges went round the stands. Finally, a total of 12 speakers from all three languages were selected.
“People are not born with public speaking skills and such events would help them to identify the skill and it is also a platform to those who have identified their skills to further it.” said Dr. Mrs. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the chief guest at the event, appreciating the event organized by the
Girl Guides.
Many of the Girl Guides who participated here welcomed the new as they believe that it was an opportunity for them to identify their talents and sharpen them.
Nayani, 15 years, from Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala, said, “It was my first time to speak in public and I am looking forward to the event. I joined the
Girl Guides as my sister was a member and we handle a lot of interesting projects”, she added.Udari Vichtra,
13 years, who spoke in the Sinhala medium, was among the group of twelve selected for the prepared and impromptu speech. She came from the Guide Company of St. Joseph’s Convent, Kegalle.
“There are plenty of things to learn and I will receive plenty of opportunities to learn and experience as well as to develop my talents,” said Udari confidently.
“It was after Vesak that I got prepared for the speech and my mum helped me a lot”, said Irushini Situnini, 10 years, from Oxford International Guide Company.
|
E-mail
