Training tomorrow's lecturers
By Layla Wilder
When Abe George began a nonprofit speech club in Chantilly, he had no idea it would morph into a series of classes that are in high demand.Teaching children to speak in public “is just something I enjoy doing and I never thought about making a profit out of it,” George, a Fairfax resident, said.
Alma Cruz, a co-worker of George's who recently enrolled her three children in his classes, said his passion for helping children excel in public speaking “shows on him.”
“I can really see enthusiasm and improvement among my kids,” Cruz, of Reston, said.
The Young Speakers Club began in 2005 at the Sully District Government Center in Chantilly as a nonprofit dedicated to training children ages 6 to 16 to speak in public.
George now has about 70 students who are club members or attend his “Speak Right Up” classes in Chantilly, the Reston Regional Library or through the Fairfax County Park Authority at Oakton's Oak Marr Recreation Center.
Pam Ruth, program director at the recreation center, says she may have to consider expanding the program because there is a waiting list to get into George's classes.
“It is very popular, but we are very pleased,” she said.
Active in public speaking activities for years, George, 44, saw a need to teach people confidence in front of crowds while they are young, he said.
While earning his undergraduate degree in computer science and an MBA in marketing, he was a member of the International Speakers Bureau and regularly coached classmates in public speaking.
“When my children were in that prime age to learn speaking skills, I was looking for a speech program in the area and there was none,” he said.
So he wrote the textbook that corresponds with his courses and uses it to teach children to make campaign speeches, legal arguments and presentations.
“A lot of parents in this area are professionals where they themselves need to stand up and speak,” he said. “They come to me and tell me they want their children to improve their speech skills while they are still young.”
“It's very low-key, but I find it to be very helpful,” said Kathy Dill, a Centreville mother. She told her 12-year-old to give the classes a try and he voluntarily stayed with them for a year, becoming a club member.
Children begin the 10-week training course by giving a speech, three minutes or less, about something that they are interested in.
George then critiques their delivery style, helping them to focus on one improvement at a time. After they complete the classes, children are eligible to join the Young Speakers Club.
After only a few sessions into the class, her children are already less shy, said Shebnam Zaidi, a Reston mother.
George said he plans to start giving classes in the Fairfax area in May.