Every child has a voice worth hearing. The Lions Junior Public Speaking Program helps students in Years 3 to 6 develop the confidence, communication skills, and self-belief that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Public speaking is about much more than standing in front of an audience. It teaches young people how to express their ideas clearly, think critically, conduct research, and communicate with confidence in classrooms, interviews, workplaces, and everyday life. Through a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment, students are given the opportunity to discover their strengths, share their passions, and build skills that will stay with them for years to come.
Since its beginnings in 2007, the program has empowered thousands of primary school students across Australia. Time and again, teachers, parents, and Lions members have witnessed remarkable transformations, with shy and hesitant students finding the confidence to stand, speak, and shine.
The program also creates strong partnerships between Lions Clubs and local schools, enriching communities while nurturing the next generation of leaders, communicators, and changemakers.
Get Involved
Whether you're a school looking to inspire your students, a parent wanting to encourage confidence in your child, or a Lions Club seeking a meaningful youth project, the Lions Junior Public Speaking Program offers an opportunity to make a lasting difference.
Give young people the chance to find their voice. Contact your local Lions Club, or one of the contact below, today and discover how your school or community can be part of this rewarding program.
What skills do Student Develop through this Program?
- Public Speaking can in improving academic performance.
- It helps in improving their listening skills.
- It helps students develop the ability to voice opinions and influence others.
- It empowers kids to overcome fear in a supportive environment.
- It prepares the child for a better future.
- It allows them to research information through a number of platforms – books, internet, family, friends & community members.
How does the program work?
There are two parts to the program - the main part being the Prepared Speeches. This is for all students. The second part of the program is a Short Preparation Speech and is for years 5 & 6 students ONLY.
Prepared Speeches
- Students are given a topic for their prepared speech, chosen by Lions, and this topic remains the same throughout the competition. Their speech needs to be based on facts, but is open to their own imagination.
- Years 3 & 4 students are asked to prepare a 3-minute speech. Years 5 & 6 students are asked to prepare a 4-minute speech.
- Students would then present these speeches at a school level competition, run in conjunction with the Lions Club.
The winners of these school competitions would then present their speech to the Lions Club members, family, friends, etc at at Club event where a club representative is chosen.
The club representative, then goes to the Region Final to compete against other students in the Region, where a region representative is chosen.
These regional representatives then present their speeches at the District Final, where an overall district winner is chosen.
In 2023 - we are planning to run a State Final in September.
Short Preparation Speech
- For students in year 5-6 only. At the club, zone/region & district level, they are given a topic and 10 minutes to prepare a 1-minute response to this topic. This has been included as an added challenge for students who have already shown that they are skilful at preparing and delivering a prepared speech.
Rules of the Competition
As with any competition, there are some rules to follow, so that everyone has the same opportunity.
Presentation of Speeches
Students should present their speeches from the floor or stage.
- NO props, photos, or slideshows during their speech
- NO lecterns - this allows for judges to see the student clearly.
- Microphones are allowed, BUT not necessary to use one if you don’t have access to one.
- Remember it is a speech, not a drama performance.
Judging Criteria
Students will be scored on the following…
- Content - The content of their speech must have a beginning, middle and end. Students will be judged on how well researched their topic is, appropriate use of language, how well they address the theme.
- Delivery - Their delivery should be confidence, unobtrusive use of notes, good use of gestures, voice projection is particularly important as well as their ability to engage the audience.
District V6 Junior Public Speaking Chairman
Lion Judy Byrne
Mobile: 0418 129 367
Email: v6juniorpublicspeaking@gmail.com
Multiple District Junior Public Speaking Chairman
Lion Jo Howell
Mobile: 0417 558 881
Email: lionsjuniorpublicspeaking@gmail.com
